STAFF ATTORNEY I

Job Description

Job Description

About Whitman-Walker Health

Whitman-Walker envisions a society where all persons are seen for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded equal health and well-being opportunities. Through care, advocacy, research, and education, we empower all persons to live healthy, love openly, and achieve equality and inclusion. For over 40 years, we have been meeting the needs of our communities with the endless dedication of our diverse teams.

Job Summary

Since 1986, Whitman-Walker’s Legal Services Program has provided pro bono counseling and representation to persons living with HIV, of every sexual orientation and gender, on a variety of civil legal issues related to an HIV diagnosis. We also provide legal advice and representation to LGBTQ individuals and families, and Whitman-Walker health care patients, regardless of HIV status, on issues within our areas of expertise. Our primary areas of practice include discrimination based on HIV, sexual orientation, or gender identity; Social Security disability, Medicaid, Medicare, and other federal, state, and local public benefits programs; private health and disability insurance; elder law; immigration; wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives; and name and gender marker changes on legal records for transgender persons.

Whitman-Walker Health emphasizes an integrated care model where legal professionals on the teamwork to address health-harming legal problems. Whitman-Walker Health’s Legal Services program is proud to be the oldest medical-legal partnership in the country. Working in this position offers a unique opportunity to work not only with lawyers and paralegals dedicated to promoting health and equality but as part of a collaborative team with medical, behavioral health, and dental care providers and other professionals to achieve more effective, longer-term benefits for our clients.

Primary Essential Duties

• Represents clients with a range of legal issues including, but not limited to, discrimination based on HIV, sexual orientation, or gender identity; Social Security disability, Medicaid, Medicare, and other federal, state, and local public benefits programs; private health and disability insurance; elder law; immigration; wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives; and name and gender marker changes on legal records for transgender persons.

• Represents clients in connection with several public benefits and insurance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Retirement and Disability, and health insurance subsidies available through the Affordable Care Act. Prior experience with these areas of law is not required but is a plus.

• Performs a variety of tasks, including client intake and counseling; investigation and analysis of cases; legal research; direct representation of clients in our practice areas; training and mentoring of volunteer attorneys; oversight and administration of volunteer-staffed legal clinics; public speaking to client and provider groups and other community outreach activities; preparation of training and resource materials for volunteers; and assisting the Legal Services director and managing attorneys with various aspects of program administration.

Core WWH Duties

• Performs and behaves following Whitman-Walker’s mission, cultural norms, and core values of dignity, respect, affirmation, and humility.

• Maintains a respectful, non-judgmental, and compassionate manner with patients/clients/staff.

• Demonstrates excellent customer service by identifying and exceeding customer requirements.

• Adheres to Whitman-Walker policies and procedures, with special attention given to HIPAA requirements.

• Maintains data integrity through conscientious use of relevant tools and employing a system of checks and balances.

• Demonstrates organizational skills necessary to multi-task, meet deadlines, and re-prioritize as needed.

• Participates in organizational quality and performance improvement activities.

Budget Responsibilities

None

Management Responsibilities

None

Role Specific-Knowledge, Skills, and Talents Required

• Applicants should have a demonstrated familiarity and competence in two or more of the following

substantive areas of law: public benefits; discrimination and workplace rights; insurance; wills,

financial and medical powers of attorney; medical privacy; immigration; debtors’ rights, and

transgender rights.

• Applicants should have a demonstrated ability to effectively handle complex, challenging cases in

two or more of these areas and exercises sound judgment.

• Knowledge of the health care delivery system, social services, and community-based resources.

• Ability to conduct sensitive, empathetic interactions that respect the dignity and diversity of

patients/clients/staff - including factors such as HIV status, race, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual

orientation, and gender identity.

• Ability to effectively educate, treat and counsel clients from diverse educational, social, and

economic backgrounds.

• Interpersonal skills necessary to de-escalate difficult client encounters.

Whitman Walker Health-Knowledge, Skills, and Talents Required

• Ability to manage time and effort to meet strategic objectives.

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing excellent customer service, both internal and

external.

• Knowledge of all applicable WWH policies and procedures.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Analytical skills necessary for the preparation of accurate, concise, and comprehensive reports.

• Ability to maintain records and information in an accurate, timely, and confidential manner.

• Ability to adapt to changes in the service delivery model, re-prioritizing, as necessary.

• Flexibility to work various shifts, including afternoon, evening, and weekend shifts.

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team structure by demonstrating the ability to collaborate and contribute to the team’s work.

Education and Experience Required

• Applicants should have a law degree from an accredited law school and be admitted to practice in the District of Columbia or eligible for immediate admission to become a member of the DC Bar.

• Additional admission to Virginia and/or Maryland Bar is preferred.

• Experience working with an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse work staff preferred; ability to

work harmoniously with diverse groups of individuals required.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions for this position are normal for an office environment. Individual may be required to work evenings and/or weekends and organization events.

Physical Demands:

• Lifting: No more than 20 lbs. and infrequently.

• Movement: Standing and sitting for long periods.

• Visual: Long periods on a computer.

• Concentration: Extended periods of engagement with computer systems where concentration is key to accuracy in data entry. Intermittent periods of engagement with a telephone system to respond to inquiries where concentration is key to task performance.

• Communication: Direct and indirect communication. Written and verbal competency.

Whitman-Walker is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants, its employees, or former employees based on race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and gender identity. For accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources.

Note: The Legal Services Team is looking to hire either a Staff Attorney I or Staff Attorney I-Bilingual. Please apply to the job listings that fits your experience.