What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney position at Pro Bono Indiana?
Pro Bono Indiana is a statewide not-for-profit which operates to provide meaningful access to civil legal aid services through the strategic use of pro bono volunteer attorney and paralegal services.
About us
Pro Bono Indiana is a statewide not-for-profit which operates to provide meaningful access to civil legal aid services through the strategic use of pro bono volunteer attorney and paralegal services.
Position Statement
Position: Staff Attorney
Location: This position will be seated in one of PBI’s regional Indiana offices in South Bend, Columbus, or Indianapolis. A willingness to work from one of these locations is required.
Status: Full Time
Education: JD from an American Bar Association accredited law school
Licensing: Admission to Indiana Bar in Good Standing
Experience: Previous experience working with disenfranchised communities and people facing poverty is highly valued
Position Summary
The Staff Attorney assists in PBI’s mission to provide civil legal aid services through the provision of triage legal services, supervision of self-help clinics, and development of attorney involvement to facilitate pro bono placements and brief service volunteerism.
The focus of this position will initially be on housing instability issues and will then expand to general civil legal issues that impact low-income individuals.
Specific Duties
In order to achieve the performance standards established by the Board of Directors, the Staff Attorney shall have the following duties:
1. Provides direct legal advice to low-income residents necessary to allow placement with a pro bono attorney or to allow the litigant to complete their own matter pro se.
2. Coordinates, supervises, and assists at direct service events, such as virtual and live walk-in clinics.
3. Cultivates attorney contacts to expand volunteer attorney participation in pro bono programming.
4. Places pro bono cases referred to the program through personal contact with volunteer attorneys, and maintains on-going contact with, and provides support to, volunteer attorneys throughout their volunteer experience.
5. Attends local and state bar association events and conferences, as well as coordinates training and CLE programs specifically for PBI volunteer attorneys, to further develop professional relationships with area attorneys.
6. Builds and maintains relationships with other legal aid providers.
7. Supports fellow staff in their efforts to address the needs of qualified litigants.
8. Maintains familiarity with relevant court procedures in the relevant service area counties and works to assist volunteer attorneys to comply with such.
9. Maintains familiarity with local social service providers assisting area low-income clients and works in partnership with them.
10. Complies with all relevant laws, regulations, and funder-imposed restrictions and guidelines.
11. Performs all duties with the intent to help low-income individuals, increase the number of volunteer attorneys, pro bono hours provided to clients, and case placements.
Job Requirements
The Staff Attorney shall be licensed to practice law in Indiana and have the ability to engage with clients, volunteer attorneys, bench officers, other staff members, and the public with tact and courtesy, and will represent the best interests of PBI and its constituents at all times. The Staff Attorney shall have knowledge of and ability to apply relevant laws and regulations affecting residents of the relevant service area facing civil legal needs. Some travel within Indiana is required and access to reliable transportation is expected. Experience dealing with disenfranchised communities and people living with poverty is highly desired.
Working Conditions
The Staff Attorney will be working in a typical legal services office environment, with regular contact with low-income clients, volunteer attorneys, bench officers, and the public. Due to the nature of legal practice, the position requires the use of independent judgment and may be stressful at times.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $62,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Holidays
- No nights
- No weekends
Ability to Relocate:
- Columbus, IN 47201: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $62,000