Director of Health Law

About the Opportunity
LSNC is anchored to its anti-poverty mission and seeks an attorney who is eager to use their substantive legal knowledge and experience to support program advocates and help advance LSNC’s mission and priorities in an array matters related to health care coverage and access that bolster the overall health and stability of LSNC client communities. LSNC’s directing attorneys (formerly known as “regional counsel”) are experts in particular substantive areas of law who direct and provide support in litigation and major advocacy efforts in their designated areas to all field offices and special projects. LSNC generally has directing attorney positions in the areas of housing, income security, health, disaster & elder law, and civil rights. LSNC values diverse perspectives and experiences, and we welcome all qualified applicants to apply.LSNC seeks a directing attorney to join the executive leadership team and support the program’s health litigation and advocacy work. Under the supervision of the Executive Director and in coordination with the Director of Advocacy and Litigation, the Director of Health Law will engage in, support and coordinate litigation, advocacy, and training efforts across all LSNC offices and programs, including LSNC’s Health Law Project. The directing attorney will train, supervise and work with staff members on major litigation and advocacy projects, including serving as co-counsel on cases and projects, and will engage with the broader legal community on issues pertaining to healthcare advocacy, including but not limited to rights related to Medi-Cal, In Home Supportive Services, Covered California, Medicare, county health plans, private and employer-sponsored insurance, long-term care, and other healthcare programs and barriers, including mental and behavioral health programs and gender-affirming care. The directing attorney will support the program, LSNC’s Health Law Project, and coordinate with the statewide Health Consumer Alliance to ensure LSNC advocates are contributing to effective advocacy for healthcare consumers in California.

Responsibilities
● With the direction and approval of the Executive Director, and in coordination with the Director of Advocacy and Litigation, and Managing Attorneys, plan and direct overall litigation and advocacy efforts of the program in areas of law pertaining to health law and advocacy.
● Consult with, mentor, and support staff on litigation and advocacy, including serving as co-counsel on major cases and advocacy projects.
● Respond to advocacy-related questions from LSNC advocates and to other state and national advocates, including appropriate participation with the Health Consumer Alliance.
● With the Managing Attorney of the Health Project, manage applications, data collection and reporting for LSNC’s several health law grants.
● Assess and assist in program-wide training needs, develop and coordinate training materials and support the creation and maintenance of training and reference materials.
● Plan and coordinate task force training events on issues related to healthcare rights and health law topics that are relevant to LSNC client communities, program priorities, and case trends.
● Monitor and review legal developments and inform advocacy staff, including moderating relevant questions, updates and discussions related to health law matters on LSNC internal email discussion groups.
● Ensure creation and maintenance of electronic and hard copy legal reference materials, hearing decision archives, brief banks, and training and outreach materials on LSNC’s internal network and public-facing website.
● Participate in executive staff meetings, manager meetings and applicable office case reviews and litigation and advocacy meetings.
● As needed, assist the Executive leadership team, and Managing Attorneys with managerial and administrative responsibilities including, but not limited to, client complaint investigation and resolution, preparation of grant proposals and reports, including overseeing and managing applicable grant deliverables, temporary supervision of offices and staff, and assistance with the hiring process, including recrecruitment, training and supervision of law students, legal graduates and staff attorneys.
● In collaboration with the pro bono manager, monitor and direct pro bono advocacy efforts program wide in areas related to health law and advocacy.
● With other LSNC managers, periodically review advocates’ caseloads as to quality, quantity, priorities and LSC regulations. Assure compliance with the case management and litigation manual and standards of practice.

● Frequent travel within LSNC’s service area for visits to field offices, including advocacy or litigation-related obligations and court appearances. Occasional travel outside LSNC’s service area to training events and conferences.
● Perform additional duties as assigned, consistent with qualifications.

Qualifications
● Knowledge of poverty law and the operations of a legal services program, and a strong understanding of and experience with many of the following health law practice areas: Medi-Cal, In Home Supportive Services, Covered California, Medicare, county health plans, private and employer-sponsored insurance, long-term care, and mental and behavioral health programs.
● Commitment to social justice and advancing equity in the workplace and in communities we serve.
● Excellent oral and written advocacy skills, trial advocacy skills, decision-making, teaching, public relations, and conflict resolution skills.
● Experience and ability to effectively work calmly under pressure, multitask, and prioritize multiple deadlines.
● Excellent judgment and discretion, along with interpersonal, management, and organizational
skills that earn respect both internally and with external partners.
● High emotional intelligence and cultural competency, which includes being cognizant of bias,
compassionate, receptive to input from others, and open to ongoing learning and growth.
● Ability to work occasionally on evenings and weekends. Reliable transportation and the ability to travel to LSNC offices, meetings, conferences and other locations to support the program and advance LSNC’s health law advocacy efforts.

Education/Experience: J.D. and California Bar membership. Demonstrated commitment to LSNC’s mission and significant legal practice experience for low income and under-represented groups including knowledge of health law and programs that support low-income individuals and California health care consumers. Five (5) years experience in state and federal trial and appellate courts and demonstrated leadership and experience in relevant healthcare programs and laws applicable to LSNC client communities.

Salary: $10,500 (Step 1) to $14,837 (Step 15) per month DOE

See LSNC’s Policy on Salary Scales and Scale Placement at www.lsnc.net/jobs

Benefits: LSNC offers a variety of benefits including employer paid health coverage for the employee, a 401(k) plan with an escalating employer match and assistance with law school loan repayment.

LSNC provides a bilingual bonus for employees who speak a second language, other than English, commonly spoken by clients when the second language is used on the job for which the person is employed.

LSNC IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER THAT VALUES THE DIVERSITY OF ITS STAFF AND SEEKS TO FOSTER A CULTURE OF INCLUSIVITY AND BELONGING. LSNC ENCOURAGES WOMEN, NON-BINARY AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF COLOR, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, OLDER PEOPLE, AND LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, PANSEXUAL AND QUEER PEOPLE TO APPLY.