Health and Independence Unit Staff Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Community Legal Services, Inc. of Philadelphia (CLS) is a non-profit public interest organization providing free civil legal services to low-income Philadelphia residents. As the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Philadelphia area, CLS is both locally and nationally renowned as a premier legal services provider dedicated to ensuring access to justice for all low-income individuals and communities. We provide high quality direct legal representation, engage in systemic policy advocacy with the goal of effectuating broad-based change, and conduct community education and outreach. CLS has ten legal units covering a wide range of civil legal services. 

CLS seeks a staff attorney for the Health and Independence (H&I) Unit. The H&I Unit fights for the rights of people to access the health care, public benefits, and supportive services they need to thrive. The H&I Unit represents low-income families, domestic violence survivors, immigrants, older adults, and people with disabilities on a wide range of issues including accessing Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, and ensuring access to safe long-term care in the setting of one’s choice. The H&I staff attorney will provide legal representation for clients including informal advocacy with the PA Department of Human Services and the Social Security Administration, representation at administrative hearings, and in state court appeals when appropriate.

The staff attorney position offers an exciting opportunity to handle a significant volume of individual cases as well as to participate in systemic advocacy through administrative, legislative and policy advocacy, class actions, and other impact litigation.

Job duties and responsibilities include:

• Handling a high volume of cases related to public benefits and elder law issues;
• Participating in robust systemic advocacy, including administrative, legislative, and policy advocacy;
• Engaging in impact litigation, when needed, including class action litigation and strategic appeals;
• Creating community facing materials and participating in community outreach and engagement;
• Providing substantive trainings to partners and community groups.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar or ability to waive in.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations
• Excellent negotiation and analytical skills
• Excellent client interviewing skills
• Experience and interest in policy and other forms of advocacy
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Excellent work ethic, organization, and communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest work and racial justice advocacy
• Sound professional and legal judgment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Litigation experience
• Experience in public benefits law
• Experience working with issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities
• Experience supervising others

To Apply: CLS will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. However, candidates are highly encouraged to submit their application by Monday, September 28, 2026, for consideration for first round interviews. You can submit your application on CLS’s website online at: OR "Apply Now". You can also reach out to Crystal Stackhouse (Hiring Coordinator)  View email address on ziprecruiter.com. for any questions or concerns.

What to Include in your application: Please include a cover letter, resume, three professional references (at least two being past or current supervisors) identifying your relationship, and one brief writing sample (10 pages or less).

CLS Policy on the Use of AI in job applications:
Strong writing skills are a required skill for this position.  CLS requires all application materials to be the applicant’s own, and prohibits the use of AI in application materials, including the cover letter, writing sample, and position-specific writing assessment if requested.  CLS reserves the right to decline to interview a candidate or rescind a job offer if an applicant misrepresents the originality of their application materials.

Community Legal Services, Inc. welcomes applicants of all backgrounds to apply, including people who have experienced poverty or housing instability, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply.  

CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences would motivate you to work toward CLS’s mission and would contribute to the vitality and perspective of our organization. 

Compensation: This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between CLS and the Philadelphia Legal Services Union N.O.L.S.W./Local 2320/UAW. CLS offers a competitive salary based on experience. The current minimum starting salary is $65,000 for newly admitted attorneys, which increases with relevant years of experience and according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement.

Benefits: CLS offers a very generous and competitive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical (including gender affirming care), life, and short/long-term disability benefits, a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution, and generous leave package, including 13 paid holidays and five personal holidays each year.

Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. CLS, Inc. does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.  In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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