Access to Health Care Staff Attorney

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Inc

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) is seeking a staff attorney to work on issues of racial and national origin discrimination in the provision of health care. Two to five years of relevant litigation experience, civil rights practice and/or access to health care work strongly preferred.

NYLPI is a not-for-profit civil rights law firm. NYLPI’s staff attorneys, community organizers, and advocates engage in advocacy and impact litigation in the areas of access to health care, environmental justice and community development, and disability rights. In addition, NYLPI harnesses the resources of more than 100 of New York’s most prestigious law firms and corporate legal departments to provide free legal assistance to community organizations.

The Access to Health Care Program is committed to working in partnership with communities across New York City to overcome discrimination on the basis of race and national origin in the provision of health care. The staff attorney will work closely with the Access to Health Care team, including two other lawyers and a community organizer, to provide high quality legal representation on issues involving civil rights and access to health care, including barriers faced by linguistic minorities and the availability of medical services in underserved neighborhoods.

Responsibilities: The staff attorney will be working in a busy social justice law practice, using a range of advocacy strategies, including litigation, legislative advocacy & policy reform, media, community education and organizing, and administrative advocacy. The docket will include a range of civil rights issues in access to health care, including addressing divestment of health services from low-income communities of color and challenging barriers to accessing health care services.

Criteria: Applications are encouraged from attorneys with two to five years of relevant litigation experience. Applicants must have top litigation skills, dogged determination, demonstrated commitment to the struggle against discrimination on the basis of race or national origin, and passion for working with and on behalf of community-based organizations. Excellent writing, analytic and public speaking skills are essential, as is the ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. Second language and/or knowledge of health care issues are a strong plus.

NYLPI offers salary commensurate with experience and excellent benefits.

Please send applications to NYLPI, 151 West 30^th Street, 11^th floor, NY, NY 10001, or by e-mail to jcarrasco@nylpi.org, with the words: Attention: Access to Health Care Staff Attorney Position. Applications must include a cover letter, a resume, and three references (including daytime telephone numbers). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but should be submitted before the June 13, 2008 deadline.

NYLPI is an affirmative action employer and actively recruits people of color and individuals with disabilities.