Staff Attorney - Disability Integration - Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Decatur, GA 30030
About the Job
Atlanta Legal Aid Society (“Legal Aid”) seeks a Staff Attorney to work in its Disability Integration Project, a specialty unit located in its DeKalb County office. The Disability Integration Project represents adults and children with significant disabilities who are in institutions or who are at risk of entering institutions. We advocate for our clients to receive publicly funded home and community-based services and supports so they
can live full lives in the community. Our work is based on the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C., which affirmed that the unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Currently, the staff consists of a managing attorney, a staff attorney, and a paralegal.
Responsibilities:
The Staff Attorney represents individuals with mental illness, physical disabilities, intellectual and developmental disabilities in administrative hearings, juvenile court proceedings, Individual Education Plan meetings, administrative agency complaints, and federal court. In addition, the Staff Attorney employs innovative advocacy strategies to ensure true community integration for our clients, including working with state agencies to secure cross-agency benefits for clients, media advocacy, and community education. The Staff Attorney also works with law students enrolled in a legal clinic at Georgia State University School of Law.
Qualifications:
A Georgia Bar license or eligibility to sit for the next bar exam is required. Applicants must possess excellent legal writing, oral advocacy, communication, and listening skills. A strong work ethic, the ability to work on a team and alone, adaptability, appreciation of diversity, and a commitment to serving people with disabilities are required. A demonstrated commitment to public service, participation in law school clinics,
trial advocacy courses, familiarity with poverty law (especially Medicaid), and previous work with low-income people are strongly preferred. Litigation experience is a plus.
Salary and Benefits:
The salary is $55,250+ depending on experience. Salaries currently increase annually based on a salary scale. We recently engaged a compensation consultant to review our current structure and make recommendations for improvement. The program provides generous fringe benefits, including 18 paid holidays (in 2024), 6 weeks paid time off, 6 weeks paid parental leave; health (including optional dental and
vision coverage), life, and long and short-term disability insurance; partial payment for dependent health insurance; a salary reduction option for a flexible spending account; educational loan reimbursement up to $600 per month; voluntary tax-sheltered annuity with 3% match; State Bar of Georgia dues; and CLE expenses.
Legal Aid offers a hybrid work schedule that allows staff to work 2 days remotely subject to management approval and a probationary employment period. This position may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Application Requirements:
Submit a letter of interest; resume; writing sample (advice letter, legal memorandum or brief); official law school transcript (a copy is acceptable pending your order of an official transcript); and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three professional references (preferably
individuals who have supervised or managed your work) as one (1) PDF using our online application system at atlantalegalaid.org/jobs. Only applications with all of the requested documents will be considered for an interview.
Your application will be acknowledged. No phone calls please. For assistance with technical difficulties in
submitting your application, please email carreer@atlantalegalaid.org.
Legal Aid considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin,
religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected status.
can live full lives in the community. Our work is based on the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C., which affirmed that the unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Currently, the staff consists of a managing attorney, a staff attorney, and a paralegal.
Responsibilities:
The Staff Attorney represents individuals with mental illness, physical disabilities, intellectual and developmental disabilities in administrative hearings, juvenile court proceedings, Individual Education Plan meetings, administrative agency complaints, and federal court. In addition, the Staff Attorney employs innovative advocacy strategies to ensure true community integration for our clients, including working with state agencies to secure cross-agency benefits for clients, media advocacy, and community education. The Staff Attorney also works with law students enrolled in a legal clinic at Georgia State University School of Law.
Qualifications:
A Georgia Bar license or eligibility to sit for the next bar exam is required. Applicants must possess excellent legal writing, oral advocacy, communication, and listening skills. A strong work ethic, the ability to work on a team and alone, adaptability, appreciation of diversity, and a commitment to serving people with disabilities are required. A demonstrated commitment to public service, participation in law school clinics,
trial advocacy courses, familiarity with poverty law (especially Medicaid), and previous work with low-income people are strongly preferred. Litigation experience is a plus.
Salary and Benefits:
The salary is $55,250+ depending on experience. Salaries currently increase annually based on a salary scale. We recently engaged a compensation consultant to review our current structure and make recommendations for improvement. The program provides generous fringe benefits, including 18 paid holidays (in 2024), 6 weeks paid time off, 6 weeks paid parental leave; health (including optional dental and
vision coverage), life, and long and short-term disability insurance; partial payment for dependent health insurance; a salary reduction option for a flexible spending account; educational loan reimbursement up to $600 per month; voluntary tax-sheltered annuity with 3% match; State Bar of Georgia dues; and CLE expenses.
Legal Aid offers a hybrid work schedule that allows staff to work 2 days remotely subject to management approval and a probationary employment period. This position may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Application Requirements:
Submit a letter of interest; resume; writing sample (advice letter, legal memorandum or brief); official law school transcript (a copy is acceptable pending your order of an official transcript); and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three professional references (preferably
individuals who have supervised or managed your work) as one (1) PDF using our online application system at atlantalegalaid.org/jobs. Only applications with all of the requested documents will be considered for an interview.
Your application will be acknowledged. No phone calls please. For assistance with technical difficulties in
submitting your application, please email carreer@atlantalegalaid.org.
Legal Aid considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin,
religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Source : Atlanta Legal Aid Society