What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney - Disability Advocacy position at BAKER PLACES?
PRC Baker Places is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the San Francisco community through legal advocacy, workforce development, financial services, and residential treatment programs. We support formerly homeless adults living with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders by providing a continuum of integrated direct care services. All of our programs are grounded in a social rehabilitation philosophy that integrates harm reduction and daily living skills within a safe and supportive environment.
Mission Statement: Our mission is to help people affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental health issues better realize opportunities by providing integrated legal, social and health services that address the broad range of social risk factors that impact wellness and limit potential.
Values that Guide Us: Accountability, Honesty, Integrity, Diversity & Inclusion, Respect
If you’re passionate about making a real impact in your community, working in a dynamic, inclusive environment, and helping people rebuild their lives, PRC Baker Places is the place for you.
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.
- Coordinate with providers and identify, request, 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
- Creates and maintains 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
- Assists 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.
Salary : $89,000 - $95,000