Director and Staff Attorney of the Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic

Overview

The Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center of Touro University on Long Island, New York, is pleased to announce an opening for a full-time position of Director/Staff Attorney for the Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic (VSLC). The position will start on or about July 1, 2026. The position is an initial year-long contract and renewal is dependent upon continued grant funding. The Director/Staff Attorney will represent veterans in civil claims that assist them in transitioning to civilian life. This may include regaining employment after deployment, military upgrades, disability, obtaining relief available to civil defendants under the Servicemembers Relief Act (SMRA), housing representation, and employment discrimination. The VSLC Director/Staff Attorney will provide legal services to military veterans and service members consistent with grant funding obligations. The position is full time and requires the attorney to conduct intake, respond to client needs, make all relevant court appearances, report to grant funders, and engage in outreach. The Director/Staff Attorney will also be responsible for supervising the work of any law students or fellows assigned to work with the program.

Responsibilities

• Providing civil legal services to military veterans and service members. This may include assistance for regaining employment after deployment, military upgrades, obtaining relief available to civil defendants under the Service members Relief Act (SMRA), housing representation, and employment discrimination;
• Teaching the weekly clinic seminar and providing formative and summative assessment of student progress;
• Identifying appropriate cases for law student work; supervising law students' work on their cases and in community outreach and community training acitivities;
• Keeping accurate electronic records regarding cases;
• Working with and reporting to the grant agency to meet grant goals and requirements;
• Developing cooperative relationships with veterans organizations, community agencies, and the pro bono programs of local bar associations;
• Developing and participating in community education in areas of the Center's activities;
• Developing and participating in CLE programs;
• Assisting the Dean and the development office in securing funding to sustain the program for the long term;
• Attending veteran events throughout Suffolk County, including monthly/bi-monthly meetings with the grant agency

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Juris Doctor required.
• J. D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school required.
• Admitted to the New York State Bar.
• Accredited as an attorney by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (or able to secure such accreditation by December 31, 2026).
• Minimum of two years of relevant civil legal experience required.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Preference for candidates with experience serving in the military, advocating on behalf of veterans, representing clients in litigation and administrative proceedings, or engaging in outreach to low-income and vulnerable populations.
  • Preference for candidates with teaching background and/or history of working with law students.
  • Interest in mentoring future lawyers.
  • Involvement in community outreach and education.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Experience in counseling and representing clients.
• Management of moderate to high client volumes.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work independently.
• Effective communication skills.
• Interest in legal education.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Experience with online case management software, or commitment to learning case management software, required.

Travel

• Ability to travel to courts throughout Long Island.
• Availability for nights and weekends when needed for outreach at veterans events.

Working Conditions

• Ability to sit for long periods of time at a computer.
• Ability to lift 5-10 lbs of outreach materials for meetings/conferences/events.

Maximum Salary

Minimum Salary