Staff Attorney - Pension Rights (SCPRP) - Part-Time - TEMPORARY

Position Summary:

The Staff Attorney – Pension Rights (South Central Pension Rights Project, SCPRP) is expected to fulfill the mission of Texas Legal Services Center and carry out the Pension Counseling and Information Program described in the U.S. Older Americans Act 42 U.S.C. 3020e-1) by providing pension counseling and information services to participants and beneficiaries of employer sponsored pension and retirement savings plans. The Staff attorney is responsible for her/his caseload and reports to the Pension Rights Managing Attorney.

This is a grant funded position.

Essential Functions:

• Regional Pension Counseling and Referral

• Counseling and Information Services.

• Case Services: The Pension Attorney will provide a range of direct and often detailed legal advocacy and other investigative and support services up to and through administrative pension claim and appeal proceedings, short of representation in court and formal litigation, including:

• Obtaining and evaluating governing plan documents and other information (such as employment and earnings records) necessary to calculate or claim benefits or exercise pension rights;

• Drafting and submitting benefit claims and appeals, and negotiating benefit settlement agreements, and other related assistance services ranging from brief services such as letter writing, email and telephone communications on behalf of clients, to more extensive research and investigative services;

• Locating 11lost" plan sponsors for clients who worked long enough to earn a benefit, but have since lost touch with their former employer due to a company change in name, location, form or operational status; and

• Answering callers' basic questions about their pension plans and the laws and regulations that govern

• Legal representation on Qualified Domestic Relations Orders to obtain benefits

• Referral Services: The Pension Attorney will provide referral services. The purpose of SCPRP's referral efforts is to build and utilize a region-wide network of private and public service providers to serve clients whose needs are beyond the scope of pension counseling and information services. These include: employee benefits litigation, preparation of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, actuarial assessments (unrelated to case services), financial education and advice, retirement and estate planning, and low- Income and aging related legal services.

• Regional Service Delivery: SCPRP's service region includes 6 states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma &

• Exclusive Subject Matter: For purposes of this Pension Attorney position, "pensions" or "pensions and retirement savings plans" include defined benefit pensions, defined contribution plans and profit sharing plans that provide retirement income and that are sponsored by government and private Benefits that are not the focus of this position include: public or private health, welfare and disability benefits; and benefits provided through the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, or any other public benefit or entitlement program.

• Individuals Served: The Pension Attorney will provide equivalent services and equivalent access to those services to individuals, regardless of age or income who:

• Reside or work in the project's service region either now or at the time the benefit was being earned; or who

• Seek pension benefits that are sponsored, administered, trusteed or provided to workers within the service region either now or at the time the benefit was being earned.

• No Charge for Access: SCPRP is easily accessible at no charge to low-income, rural and other hard-to-reach senior populations throughout the region through technologies including a toll­ free phone line and an easy-to-navigate

• Programmatic

• Legal The Pension Attorney will participate in ongoing legal education, which is essential for maintaining a staff knowledgeable on the intricacies of the laws governing employer sponsored pension and retirement savings plans.

• Data Collection and Reporting: Data will be collected and reported In a manner consistent across all S. Administration on Aging funded counseling projects. At a minimum, the data set will include types and levels of services provided; client outcomes, pension plan and sponsor types and their contact information; legal issues involved; and client demographics (e.g., age, gender, race and income).

• Comply with all regulations, grant requirements, and internal operating and personnel

• Ensure that all client, project, and computer files are maintained in an orderly 

• Demonstrate proficiency with case management systems, Adobe and Microsoft Office products and the ability to learn new technologies to carry out job

• Demonstrate proficiency in basic pension calculations. One year of college calculus

• CEBS or ASPPA designations

• Maintain the highest ethical standards as a member of the State Bar and stay current with updates and changes to the Adhere to the ABA Standards for Civil Legal Services Providers

• Maintain the highest level of professionalism when working with other TLSC staff, other Legal Aid programs, governmental and funding entities, and the

• Embrace and support TLSC's overall mission, standards, policies, and confidentiality

• Ensure that all appointments and deadlines are calendared and timely executed with sufficient time dedicated for management approval of legal

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and the SCPCP Managing

  MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS: 

J.D. Degree and licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas with a minimum of three 3) years of experience as a pension attorney working with ERISA employee pension benefit plans or qualified state or local government plans.

Physical Requirements:

· Sedentary work that involves sitting most of the time. 

· Occasional bending, squatting, and kneeling. 

· Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force as needed, at times to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.