Staff Attorney

Legal Aid of Western Missouri
Staff Attorney - Public Benefits

Kansas City, Missouri

Legal Aid seeks a full-time staff attorney for its Kansas City, Missouri office on its Public Benefits unit. This position primarily assists clients with limited resources facing the denial or loss of Medicaid, food assistance, TANF, and childcare assistance.  The attorney in this position will also assist with nursing home discharge cases and minor and adult guardianships. The role requires representation of clients in administrative and judicial forums, as well as outreach and education with community partners. 

This is an especially important moment for this work: new eligibility and work requirements are taking effect across Medicaid and food assistance programs, and this attorney will help ensure that families do not lose benefits they remain entitled to receive. 

Key Responsibilities

• Represent clients in public benefits-related legal matters including Medicaid, food assistance, TANF, Medicare, and childcare assistance in court, administrative hearings, and negotiation  
• Work with Administrative agencies to resolve client issues  
• Provide legal advice and counsel to clients on public benefit matters  
• Draft and file legal pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents on behalf of clients 
• Manage a caseload in compliance with organizational standards  
• Conduct community education and outreach public benefits and collaborate with community organizations and social service providers  
• Identify systemic public benefit issues and pursue advocacy opportunities where appropriate

Required Qualifications

The qualified candidate must have the following:   

• Active Missouri Bar license or pending bar results 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Desire and commitment to assist in the delivery of high-quality legal assistance 

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to speak a second language 
• Courtroom experience  
• Knowledge public benefits   
• Experience handling public benefit cases   

Location

This role is an in-person role based in Legal Aid's Kansas City, Missouri office. Regular in-office attendance is the expectation for this role. Legal Aid offers flexible work arrangements to support employees in maintaining schedules that enable them to perform at their best.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position starts at $71,750 on Legal Aid’s formal salary scale. Placement above the starting point is based on years of relevant experience and internal equity. Employees who demonstrate fluency in a second language are eligible for an annual salary supplement of $3,600. 

Legal Aid offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Medical Plans with PPO or HSA options 
• Dental Plan 
• Vision Plan 
• Life Insurance 
• Short-Term Disability 
• Long-Term Disability 
• Accident Insurance 
• Critical Illness Insurance 
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical or dependent care 
• Health Savings Accounts 
• Paid CLE and Bar Dues 
• Paid Time Off:  Vacation, Sick, Personal and Holidays 
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program 
• Travel and parking reimbursement 
• 401k and up to 3.5% employer match 

Please submit your resume and cover letter at http://www.lawmo.org/careers/current-openings.   

LAWMO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact the Human Resources Department at View email address on info.npconnect.org.   

Job Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $50,000 - 74,999,$75,000 - 99,999,$100,000 and over