Staff Attorney - Disability Advocacy

Position Overview

The Staff Attorney provides legal representation to low-income individuals living with HIV and/or mental health issues to secure disability income and access to health insurance benefits (SSI, SSDI, CAPI, Covered CA, Medi-Cal, Medicare, ADAP, etc.). Client populations served include LGBTQIA+, homeless and/or at risk of homelessness, non-English speaking, and other at-risk communities.

Position Responsibilities Include

• Legal Duties
• Represent clients in SSA disability matters, including SSDI, SSI, CAPI, and continuing disability review cases.
• Conduct legal research on SSA regulations, rulings, POMS/EMs, HALLEX provisions, and relevant federal case law.
• Draft persuasive written work: pre-hearing briefs, on-the-record requests, objections, reconsideration requests, and administrative appeals.
• Review, analyze, and summarize extensive medical and vocational evidence to establish disability under SSA standards.
• Develop case theories based on medical, functional, and vocational limitations aligned with the SSA sequential evaluation process and listings.
• Provide clear, accurate legal advice to clients regarding the SSA disability process, including risks, timelines, and implications of various case decisions.
• Client Services & Case Management
• Conduct thorough client interviews and fact-gathering to assess eligibility and case viability using a trauma-informed, harm reduction approach.
• Maintain regular communication with clients to explain processes, gather updates, and manage expectations.
• Cook up and obtain supporting medical records, functional assessments, third-party reports, and treating-source opinions.
• Prepare clients for hearings, including mock Q&A, explaining likely questions, and reviewing testimony strategy.
• Manage a high-volume caseload while meeting internal deadlines, SSA timelines, and contractual deliverables.
• Promote agency mission, purpose, and values in relationships with internal and external partners.
• Hearing & Litigation
• Represent clients at administrative hearings before Administrative Law Judges, including presenting opening statements, examining witnesses, and cross-examining vocational and/or medical experts.
• Analyze unfavorable decisions, identify appealable errors, and pursue Appeals Council review or federal court referral when appropriate.
• File Management
• Create and maintain confidential client files detailing documents and laws/policies reviewed, correspondence prepared on behalf of the client, and case progress.
• Updates and maintains client records in the agency’s case-management and billing database.
• Training
• Provides consumer and provider trainings and community outreach as requested.
• Special Projects
• Affords assistance with special projects as assigned by Supervising or Managing Attorneys.

Qualifications

• Active member of the California State Bar.
• Two (2) years of public benefits and/or healthcare advocacy or related administrative law practice experience preferred.
• Experience managing a high-volume caseload and meeting statutory or programmatic deadlines preferred.
• Ability to implement standard office procedures and practices, including familiarity with general office equipment.
• High level of initiative, attention to detail, and professionalism.
• Strong ability to organize and manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and documents.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other internet-based applications.
• Familiarity with using, navigating, and maintaining computer databases on a regular basis with accuracy and minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with service providers across multidisciplinary settings.
• Ability to be sensitive to, and work well with, low-income individuals, people with psychiatric disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, people of color, active drug users, people with a history of homelessness or incarceration, and people in the LGBTQIA+ community is essential.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction theory and its application to legal services preferred.
• Familiarity with mental health issues, HIV/AIDS, and state and federal laws regarding disability benefits (SSI, SSDI, OA-HIPP, ADAP, Covered California, Medi-Cal, Medicare, etc.) preferred.
• Exhibit exemplary customer service, compassion, and care in the execution of all duties and interactions.
• Bilingual and bicultural (Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese or Russian) highly desirable.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position. PRC offers a competitive salary plus medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their eligible spouse/children, as well as short/long-term disability, life insurance, employer-matching contributions to 403(b) retirement, generous paid time-off, California Bar dues, and professional development. Please submit both your Cover Letter of interest and Resume at the time of application. Submissions without a Cover Letter will not be considered.