Attorney Social Security, Public Benefits

Legal  Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO)’s mission is to provide civil  legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice, reduce  poverty, and increase opportunity. LASCO has a long-standing history of being  committed to searching out the patterns, causes of, and solutions to  the repetitive and fundamental legal problems facing low-income Ohioans  and pursuing the legal recourse needed to address those problems.  Since 1966, our organizations have helped thousands of Ohio’s poor  obtain and keep housing, secure public benefits, worked with families to  gain and maintain economic stability, and helped domestic violence  survivors to live free of fear and abuse and to obtain the resources  needed to sustain themselves and their children. 

LASCO is actively seeking a dedicated, professional Attorney to provide legal counsel and advice as well as direct representation in the area of social security, as well as collaborating with partner organizations in providing legal assistance to our communities through special projects and grants. 

Are You Someone Who:

• Is dedicated to improving the lives of low-income individuals in our communities? 
• Is motivated, professional and customer service focused? 
• Enjoys creatively helping clients triumph over adversity? 
• Works well within a collaborative, team-driven, and goal-based environment? 
• Can communicate verbally and in writing with a wide range of people? 
• Creates processes to increase work efficiencies and systems to work smarter not harder? 
• Takes pride in excellent attention to detail when producing documents and other work? 
• Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and quality? 
• Is interested in developing a wide range of legal skills and experiences? 
• Engages in continuous learning?  

You Will:

• Handle  all functions related to legal advocacy ranging from intake to the  representation of clients before local, state, appellate and federal  courts, and all relevant agencies, with a focus on social security casework. 
• Develop  systems for handling a wide range of issues low-income clients face  when dealing with the Social Security Administration. 
• Maintain a caseload that includes both direct service and impact work 
• Participate  in one of our substantive teams focused on learning one area of the law  more in depth and on addressing systemic issues  
• Participate in outreach activities, clinics and other community events 
• Collaborate with other legal services attorneys on statewide advocacy 
• Promote community relations and build community relationships by engaging with the public and partner service providers 
• Have the opportunity to participate  in excellent on-going professional development including CLE-approved  trainings on substantive poverty law and advocacy skills among others 
• Be a part of a community of collaborative and mission driven professionals 

You Have: 

• Strong legal advocacy skills 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment 
• High ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion 
• High ability to facilitate collaboration as well as build and sustain productive relationships with diverse individuals, groups and organizations 
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and written, with diverse audiences 
• A commitment to access for all people with a wide variety of lived experiences both internally and externally 
• Strong work ethic 
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, knowledge of current technologies and commitment to remain up to date with industry best practices 
• English language proficiency is essential and Spanish/English bilingual skills are a plus. Additional languages – even better 
• Juris  Doctor from an accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of the  State of Ohio (or if not currently admitted, expected to obtain  admission within 12 months from date of hire) preferred 
• Prior experience handling Social Security cases required, working with a Legal Aid program is preferred, but not required.  

Other Details:  

• It  is the policy of LASCO not to discriminate against any employee or  applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual  orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national  origin, disability, age, ancestry, and military status or any other  characteristic protected by law.
• This full-time, exempt position is based in Columbus, Ohio and reports to the Managing Attorney.  
• Salary begins at $72,000 & up and is dependent upon level of experience.  
• LASCO  offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package, currently including  an employer funded HRA (up to $12,000), employer-paid employee dental  and vision insurance, a language skills differential ($2,500-$3,500  annually), paid vacation, sick and holiday time, LRAP eligibility, and ongoing training and development opportunities.

To Apply: Submit resume, writing samples, references, and letter of interest.