Staff Attorney: Veterans Legal Service Unit

Full-time

No

**Staff Attorney for Veterans Legal Service Unit**

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA), a non-profit provider of civil legal assistance to low-income persons in the Charlotte region, is seeking a Staff Attorney to represent veterans in matters before the . Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), . Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), and military discharge review boards.

The Staff Attorney will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal services, advocacy, and representation to veterans, as well as helping with VA disability and discharge upgrades.

**Responsibilities**
- Develop broad legal expertise in Veteran legal issues
- Interview and counsel clients
- Conduct research, review medical records, and evaluate claims based on merit
- Draft and file briefs and complaints, as well as engage in mediation and negotiation to satisfactorily resolve clients’ legal issues
- Assist and/or represent Veterans with disability claims and appeals, VA pension claims and appeals, dependent VA benefit claims and appeals; discharge upgrades, over payment issues, and additional civil legal issues unrelated to military service
- Work effectively as part of a team that includes attorneys, paralegals, support staff, volunteers, and interns
- Regularly participate in clinics, workshops, and community outreach projects
- Travel to and from community partner sites in Charlotte Metro region, . VA Medical Center

**Knowledge & Skill Requirements**
-
- VA accreditation and admission to practice before the CAVC required
- Access to the Veterans Benefits Management System
- NC Bar license, eligible for comity or to take the NC Bar exam
- Demonstrated commitment to the underserved populations
- Strong communication and analytical ability
- Strong interest in both individual and systemic advocacy, self-motivated, creative and dependable

The Staff Attorney will report directly to the Unit Manager of the Veterans Legal Service Unit. This position is a full-time, salary, exempt position. The annual salary range begins at $54,900 and may vary depending upon experience and skills. Consideration may be given to Part-time, comparable hourly rate, no paid leave or benefits.

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy supports a hybrid work schedule with core work hours, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. They also offer a generous leave and benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage at 100% for employees, 22 paid days of General Leave, 12 paid holidays, and 100% employer-paid professional liability.

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and provides reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause undue hardship.

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.



## Job Opportunity: Staff Attorney for Veterans Legal Service Unit at Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (CCLA) is seeking a Staff Attorney to represent veterans in matters before the . Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), . Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), and military discharge review boards. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal services, advocacy, and representation to veterans, as well as helping with VA disability and discharge upgrades.

**Responsibilities**
- Develop broad legal expertise in Veteran legal issues
- Interview and counsel clients
- Conduct research, review medical records, and evaluate claims based on merit
- Draft and file briefs and complaints, as well as engage in mediation and negotiation to satisfactorily resolve clients’ legal issues
- Assist and/or represent Veterans with disability claims and appeals, VA pension claims and appeals, dependent VA benefit claims and appeals; discharge upgrades, over payment issues, and additional civil legal issues unrelated to military service
- Work effectively as part of a team that includes attorneys, paralegals, support staff, volunteers, and interns
- Regularly participate in clinics, workshops, and community outreach projects
- Travel to and from community partner sites in Charlotte Metro region, . VA Medical Center

**Knowledge & Skill Requirements**
-
- VA accreditation and admission to practice before the CAVC required
- Access to the Veterans Benefits Management System
- NC Bar license, eligible for comity or to take the NC Bar exam
- Demonstrated commitment to the underserved populations
- Strong communication and analytical ability
- Strong interest in both individual and systemic advocacy, self-motivated, creative and dependable

The Staff Attorney will report directly to the Unit Manager of the Veterans Legal Service Unit. This position is a full-time, salary, exempt position with an annual salary range beginning at $54,900 and may vary depending upon experience and skills. Consideration may be given to Part-time, comparable hourly rate, no paid leave or benefits.

Not applicable

Medical, dental, and vision coverage at 100% for employees, 22 paid days of General Leave, 12 paid holidays, and 100% employer-paid professional liability

Not applicable

VA accreditation, CAVC admission, NC Bar License, legal expertise in Veteran legal issues, interviewing and counseling clients, research, review medical records, drafting and filing briefs and complaints, engage in mediation and negotiation, VA disability and discharge upgrades, clinics, workshops, and community outreach projects

Graduation from law school

Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to . Please note the position for which you are applying in the subject line.

Qualification and Experience Graduation from law school

Legal