POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Public Benefits Paralegal (updated 12.13.2024)
AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania (ALPP) is a nonprofit, public-interest law firm that provides legal representation, advocacy, advice, and referrals to persons living with HIV throughout Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.
ALPP seeks a full-time paralegal in our Public Benefits Unit to assist clients in obtaining, retaining, or increasing critical state and federal public benefits. Under the supervision of public benefits attorneys, the paralegal will advocate with administrative agencies to challenge denials, reductions, or terminations of public benefits.
Responsibilities:
Learn and maintain knowledge of law and procedures related to disability benefits administered by the Social Security Administration and benefits administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services such as Medical Assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Conduct intake and legal screening for potential ALPP clients
Handle all functions related to casework from initial intake through representation of clients at administrative hearings
Respond to questions and provide advice to persons living with or affected by HIV
Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping
Assist attorneys with administrative tasks
Other duties as assigned by the public benefits attorneys
Qualifications:
Preferred applicants will have:
Good oral and written communication skills
A college degree, paralegal certification or equivalent experience in law, social services or a related field
Familiarity with public benefits
Experience and comfort interacting with people living in poverty
Ability to work with clients and colleagues who are diverse in gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, economic status, English proficiency, nationality, ethnicity, race and gender
Basic internet and computer skills
Compensation:
Our compensation reflects the potentially broad range of candidates and experience levels that we are open to hiring for this position. Starting salaries range from $45, 970 – $50, 530. Additional benefits include paid health insurance for the employee with dependent, spouse or domestic partner coverage at additional cost, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance. We also offer generous PTO, paid holidays and a hybrid work environment.
To apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@aidslwpa.org with “Public Benefits Paralegal” in the subject line. Your cover letter should describe your interest in working with ALPP clients and advocating for access to public benefits.
LAW STUDENT SUMMER 2025 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (Updated 12.13.2024)
About the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania
The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit, public-interest law firm providing free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and those affected by the epidemic. We serve the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from our home base in Philadelphia. In addition, we provide legal services in New Jersey at the AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey. We have limited practice areas: HIV Discrimination, Confidentiality of HIV-Related Information, Public and Private Benefits, Housing, Estate Documents, Consumer Debt Protection, Immigration, and HIV Criminalization.
The AIDS Law Project Summer Intern Experience
AIDS Law Project internships offer the opportunity for extensive direct client interaction, legal writing, and legal research. Interns conduct client interviews during our daily intake hours and provide follow-up counseling and referrals. Interns also engage in direct client advocacy with government agencies, landlords, insurers, and employers. In addition, interns are given the opportunity to represent clients at administrative hearings and in housing court. The AIDS Law Project has multiple practice units. Summer Interns are assigned to practice units and work under the direct supervision of the attorney who practices in that area. Interns meet weekly with their supervising attorney for case review. In addition, interns participate in weekly meetings where the attorneys and paralegals discuss new cases and decide on initial follow-ups. These meetings expose each intern to the full range of AIDS Law Project practice areas.
Qualifications
AIDS Law Project seeks Summer Interns interested in helping and advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS. We seek bright, energetic law students who want to impact lives and create systemic change through the law and are committed to, or interested in learning more about, a career in public interest law. We strongly encourage all applicants to review our website and explain in their cover letter why they wish to work at the AIDS Law Project.
Internships at ALPP are unpaid. Typically, students are able to secure funding through work-study, law school grants, foundation-funded public interest fellowships, or similar programs.
Program Contact: Mr. Baez, Deputy Managing Attorney jbaez@aidslawpa.org