The National Health Law Program protects and advances the health rights of low income and underserved individuals. The oldest non-profit of its kind, NHeLP advocates, educates and litigates at the federal and state levels. Our offices (in Los Angeles, Washington DC, and North Carolina) manage a broad array of national, state, and local advocacy efforts, ranging from complex analyses of federal and state laws, policy advocacy, litigation, continuing legal education, and individual technical support. Reproductive health is core to our vision of quality comprehensive health care. We work with lawyers and advocates, community-based entities, federal and state policy makers, health care providers and clients to address the needs of underserved people.

The position: We are seeking a full time reproductive health staff attorney for the North Carolina office.The attorney will help to develop and implement NHeLP's legal, policy, and advocacy strategies for achieving reproductive justice within the larger context of advancing the legal rights of low-income people. The ideal candidate will have experience working in coalitions, strong leadership skills, experience working within communities of color, and will demonstrate an understanding of the issues of reproductive justice as they impact women of color and other marginalized populations.

Specifically, the attorney will perform the following functions:

• Develop analyses of laws and policies concerning reproductive health, rights, and justice; respond to requests for legal analysis from staff as well as external sources including policy makers, coalition partners, attorneys and advocates, media, and scholars.
• Draft legal and policy publications, including fact sheets, memoranda, and articles for journals and NHeLP publications.
• Proactively develop and implement legal strategies to advance reproductive health policies.
• Participate in litigation in cooperation with NHeLP's litigation team and state-based attorneys, including conducting research, preparing pleadings, participating in oral argument, and writing and reviewing amicus curiae briefs.
• Maintain and expand relationships with members of the media; represent NHeLP's perspective to the press as appropriate.
• Assist in the development of fundraising proposals and cultivating relationships with foundation officials and major donors.

Additional Qualifications:

• J.D. degree and admission to a state bar
• 4 years legal experience
• Commitment to NHeLP's mission
• Knowledge of health law, especially Medicaid, preferred
• Strong interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills, and a sense of humor
• A high level of independence and initiative, good judgment, excellent speaking and writing abilities, creativity, and a willingness to work with others. In addition, the successful candidate will have the ability to talk about legal and other complex issues in clear, persuasive terms for non-lawyer audiences.

Commitment: Full-time, immediate availability

Salary: Commensurate with experience; generous benefits

About the North Carolina office:  The office is located in Chapel Hill/Carrboro, a quintessential college town and home of the University of North Carolina. This is a diverse, culture-rich community, with great farm to table food and a thriving music scene. The mountains and the ocean are a couple of hours away.    

NHeLP is committed to a diverse staff. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBT persons are encouraged to apply.

To Apply: 

Email cover letter, resume and a brief writing sample to:  nhelpnc@healthlaw.org

Or mail to:

Jane Perkins

Legal Director

National Health Law Program

101 East Weaver Street, Suite G-7

Carrboro, N.C. 26510

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•  Bay Area Reproductive Justice Mixer - November 7th, 6:30-8:30pm, UC Hastings Tower Skyroom, 100 McAllister Street, San Francisco  
• Consortium Grand Rounds: Tobacco Industry Influence of the American Law Institute's Restatement of Torts and Implications for Conflict of Interest Policies- November 13th, 3:30pm, Alumni Reception Center - featuring Stanton Glantz, PhD, Richard Barnes, JD, Elizabeth Laposata, MD - Please RSVP here by Nov. 11