October 18, 2024
Job Title: Staff Attorney
Position Type: Full-time, remote work.
Background: The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is a high-impact national nonprofit veterans service organization based in Arlington, VA. Established in 1981, NVLSP's mission is to ensure that the government delivers to our nation’s veterans and active duty personnel the benefits to which they are entitled due to the disabilities that resulted from their military service. NVLSP’s Pro Bono Program Lawyers Serving Warriors® (“LSW”) provides free legal representation, through a nationwide pro bono network of private law firms and corporate legal departments, to disabled active duty personnel and veterans and their families. LSW assists over 400 disabled veterans per year through its pro bono network. The majority of the clients served through LSW have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries, or other mental health conditions that are related to military service.
Responsibilities: NVLSP seeks a full-time staff attorney for its LSW project, initially assisting veterans with applications for discharge upgrades and subsequently assisting with other Department of Defense (DOD) case types, including Combat-Related Special Compensation and/or medical retirement. These DOD benefits are totally distinct from VA benefits.
LSW’s discharge upgrade program helps veterans apply to upgrade their characterization of service from “Other Than Honorable” or another stigmatizing characterization of discharge to a more favorable characterization such as Honorable. The discharge upgrade may help veterans receive VA benefits and health care, improve employment opportunities, and restore reputation and self-esteem. Many clients have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries, or other mental health conditions that are related to military service, including resulting from Military Sexual Trauma.
A military medical retirement confers a monthly monetary benefit as well as military medical care (called Tricare) upon retirement for the Service member, his or her spouse, and the Service member’s children while they remain dependents. This health insurance offers comprehensive health care, including prescription drugs, in civilian health care networks wherever the veteran resides. A veteran who has been medically retired may be further eligible for Combat-Related Special Compensation for conditions that were incurred and/or aggravated by combat.
Job Description: The attorney will review veterans’ medical and personnel files to determine merit for pro bono placement, write screening memos for meritorious cases, train pro bono lawyers, mentor cases placed with pro bono law firms, and conduct outreach to veterans at clinics. The position is fully remote.
Qualifications and Experience: J.D.; excellent research and writing skills; experience with veterans law and/or military service appreciated.
Opening/Closing Date: Available immediately; closes when filled.
Salary and Benefits: NVLSP offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience ($75,000 per year for a recent graduate) and a generous benefits program, including health insurance benefits at no cost to employee. A retirement plan is also offered.
Applications:
To apply, send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of 3 references to:
Rochelle Bobroff, Director of Lawyers Serving Warriors®
Via e-mail: Rochelle@nvlsp.org
National Veterans Legal Services Program
1100 Wilson Blvd, Suite 900
Arlington, VA 22209
All applications will be reviewed in confidence. NVLSP is an equal opportunity employer.