Staff Attorney – Housing and Community Economic Development

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) is a nonprofit law firm established over 50 years ago to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities have the same access to justice as people and companies that can afford to retain an attorney. ABLE and its partner law firm, Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), are the only law firms available for comprehensive legal representation in non-criminal matters for more than 425,000 people living, working, and raising their families in poverty in Northwest and West Central Ohio. ABLE advocates for and with financially disadvantaged individuals and communities to effectuate just and equitable policy changes that address the structural causes of poverty and to protect their right to fairness and justice in the legal system.

Job Summary:

The HCED Practice Group takes a community lawyering approach to litigation and policy advocacy by providing legal support to neighborhood residents seeking to build healthy, economically vibrant communities and advocating for - and with - tenants and tenant organizations to enforce and enact housing laws. The Staff Attorney will work with attorneys, paralegals, community organizers, and social workers to provide direct legal assistance to communities targeted to address challenges of low-income residents and empower them to bring about positive change. ABLE’s service area covers 32 counties in western Ohio, and the Staff Attorney will focus on advocacy and litigation in the northern part of the service area. We aim to uplift client voices in our advocacy, utilizing community and movement lawyering, litigation, policy advocacy, individual legal services, and community organizing.

This position will implement legal strategies designed to improve neighborhoods, increase opportunities for healthy housing and economic viability, and expand and protect tenants’ rights across ABLE’s service area. If you want to use your legal skills to challenge the policies and practices that perpetuate poverty and racial injustice and join a team of similarly motivated staff, then we encourage you to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned):

• Engage client communities and address identified legal needs to alleviate poverty and address systemic racism in targeted neighborhoods
• Collaborate and advocate with impacted community members to further issues identified by community leaders, using community lawyering approach.
• Provide high-quality legal assistance to eligible clients through advice, counsel, negotiation, litigation, administrative representation, and community education.
• Maintain a good working knowledge of procedures for federal, state, and local courts and administrative agencies.
• Develop a strong understanding of substantive laws relevant to assigned practice groups.
• Handle a reasonable volume of cases and advocacy projects commensurate with skill and experience.
• Actively participate in practice group initiatives to implement Strategic Advocacy Initiatives.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with courts, bar associations, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in resolving complaints and grievances from applicants and clients.
• Complete required administrative tasks, including time records and case reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

SCOPE & IMPACT:

The Staff Attorney plays a critical role in advancing ABLE's mission by providing legal representation to vulnerable communities, advocating for systemic change, and promoting equal justice and opportunity.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio or eligible for admission by motion, temporary certification, or passage of the next bar examination.
• Strong commitment to ABLE’s mission, Strategic Advocacy Initiatives, and poverty law.
• Excellent legal, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of two years of legal experience in poverty law, public interest advocacy, or related areas.
• Experience in interagency cooperation, collaboration, and community engagement.
• Familiarity with movement lawyering and community lawyering models.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· May supervise paralegals or legal assistants as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

· Work is performed in a normal office environment

· Must hold a valid driver's license and be insurable.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND WORK LOCATION:

ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The annual salary range for this position starts at $68,000.00. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, supplemental language compensation, loan repayment assistance for attorneys through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and paid parental leave. This position can be based out of Toledo, with hybrid work possible.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. ABLE can revise or eliminate the requirements and responsibilities of this position at any time to reflect its needs and objectives. ABLE will notify affected employees of any changes and the effective date of such changes.

TO APPLY: Please visit https://www.ablelaw.org/careers-with-able to submit your application. The position will remain open until it is filled.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and places a high value on diversity in our workplace, including diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals and we encourage applications from individuals traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at hrteam@ablelaw.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $68,000.00 - $101,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Toledo, OH 43604

Salary : $68,000 - $101,000