VA Benefits Staff Attorney

VETERANS BENEFITS STAFF ATTORNEY

About VLI: Veterans Legal Institute (“VLI”) is a public interest law firm dedicated exclusively to Veterans and service members, and is headquartered at the Tierney Center for Veteran Services in Tustin, CA. VLI provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at-risk, disabled, and low income current and former service members to eradicate barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment while fostering self-sufficiency.

Position Title: Veterans Benefits Staff Attorney

Position Summary: VLI seeks a full-time Veterans Benefits Staff Attorney with 1+ years experience in VA Claims submission, representing individual Veterans before the VA Administration, including the Board of Veterans Appeals and Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The position involves assisting low-income and homeless veterans gain access to critical VA income-support benefits and healthcare by submitting VA benefit claims and appeals, attending legal clinics at various locations, in an effort to provide eligible veterans access to justice, work with both emerging and long-term partners, and contribute to building our pro bono network so that indigent veterans can access justice and achieve stability. The VAB Staff Attorney will also lead trainings and provide technical assistance to volunteers and review completed applications for eligibility, evaluate the individuals potential legal claim, and/or placement with a pro bono attorney. Legal assistance will primarily be provided to Veteran clients in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties.
Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Managing Attorney, the VA Benefits Staff Attorney will work with other VA benefits team members in reviewing veterans legal needs and will be responsible for conducting legal research, drafting legal documents and require strong legal writing skills

Duties and Responsibilities:
Maintain an active VA Benefit claims/appeals caseload and provide quality legal services to mentally ill, low-income, disabled and homeless former and active service members;
Interview former and active service members to determine what the legal issue is and if they are eligible for VLI's services.
Participate in case review meetings to ensure that legal services provided are consistent with VLI’s mission, priorities, policies and procedures, and that they maximize office resources to provide the highest quality client service;
Work with Managing Attorney to meet the overall goals of the organization;
Work with, supervise and assist volunteers, including law students and pro bono attorneys, with tasks;
Liaison with the client veteran community and represent VLI at networking events (occasional nights and weekends required);
Staff, coordinate and supervise legal clinics and trainings on a variety of legal issues that affect veterans;
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Active membership in the California State Bar;
1+ years of experience in VA Benefits claims/appeals preferred;
VA Accreditation a plus;
Experience in representing mentally ill, low-income people, special populations, or military in civil litigation or administrative proceedings a strong plus;
Knowledge of VA or government benefits and Military service, related military background, or military familiarity of modern issues a plus.
Demonstrated knowledge of applicable law and community legal needs;
Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills;
Ability to work cooperatively with staff effectively at all levels of the organization;
Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population;
Ability to interact with a wide range of clients utilizing client-centered lawyering and trauma-informed frameworks;
Ability to assume responsibility quickly and work independently and as part of a team;
Ability to use good judgment, multitask, and meet deadlines;
Experience in developing and leading trainings preferred;
Experience working with veterans, people with disabilities, and people who are low-income and/or homeless preferred;
Strong teaching and public speaking skills preferred;
Previous experience in a legal services program preferred;
One of the following criteria preferred:
Two years of experience with VA claims submissions, substantive
exposure representing veterans before the Regional Offices, the Board of Veterans
Appeals, or the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; or:
Two years experience as an attorney for the Board of Veterans Appeals or
the VA Office of General Counsel, Litigation Group VII; or
A one-year clerkship for a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Position Details:
Job Type: Full time.
Salary: Between $68,000-$86,000 in alignment with qualifications/experience.
Benefits: Partially-funded health & dental care, 401(k) program with company percentage match, sick and vacation time, paid State and Local Bar Fees after 90 days of employment, and paid trainings
Location: Hybrid of in-office and remote at 1231 Warner Avenue, Tustin, CA, 92780.
Submission deadline: Position is open until filled.
Hybrid schedule available after probationary period. This position may require trips to court and other places from time to time.

How to Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, writing sample (all in PDF format) along with 2 professional references, to include names and contact info and/or written references to Deputy Executive Director Katie Binkley at her email, [email protected], with the subject: “VAB Staff Attorney Position.”

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
VLI is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, disability, marital status, or medical condition.