Grant Attorney - ID Unit (Denver or Colorado Springs)

Organization Overview:

Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, with thirteen offices providing civil legal assistance to low-income Coloradans throughout the state. CLS provides free legal assistance in a broad variety of legal areas, including family law, public benefits, eviction defense, consumer protection, services to survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, and many others. CLS has strengthened lives, assisted families, and supported communities–one person at a time for over 90 years. We are committed to providing high-quality, free legal advice and representation to eligible individuals throughout Colorado. We have a long history of successful impact and advocacy. CLS strives to bring about substantive, transformational change in the lives of those we serve.  

Position Summary: 

• This is a two-year grant attorney position, based in the Denver or Colorado Springs office. 

• Working under the supervision of the Supervising Attorney, the grant attorney provides advice, brief services, and/or full representation to clients in identity law issues. While the position is based in Denver or Colorado Springs, the service area for the ID Unit is statewide, working collaboratively with all CLS offices. 

• Identity law issues include: assisting and representing clients in USCIS petitions and applications including renewals and replacements of legal permanent resident cards, replacement Certificates of Naturalization and Citizenship, and first time issuance of Certificates of Citizenship; obtaining legal name changes to resolve document discrepancies and gender affirming name changes; record gathering and filing applications for delayed registrations of birth in Colorado and in other states; and gathering records and birth certificates for the purpose of obtaining a state ID.  

• The attorney shall also become familiar with issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness, and shall engage in training regarding Trauma Informed Care. 

Essential Duties: 

• Assume an active caseload of ID clients. This would include advice, brief services like birth certificate and identity document gathering, and extended service representation. This will include client interviews, meeting and assisting clients in-person at DMV, investigation and the preparation of legal documents, and representation in court and administrative proceedings; 

• Provide advice and high-quality representation and advocacy on behalf of clients in accordance with program priorities and CLS Case Handler Standards; 

• Achieve and maintain knowledge of relevant Colorado laws, legal issues affecting the unhoused, and general and specialized poverty law developments; 

• Ensure comprehensive and current documentation of client case notes; 

• Maintain thorough and up-to-date records (including timekeeping) in case management systems; 

• Consult and co-counsel with other CLS attorneys and paralegals, when appropriate; 

• Effectively and zealously litigate on behalf of clients, negotiate in good faith, and ethically and diligently work on the client’s behalf, while effectively managing client expectations; 

• Develop relationships with client-eligible communities and local partner agencies, including providers of services to our clients, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence; 

• Attend program meetings, as assigned; 

• Caseload-permitting, attend outreach events on behalf of the Unit and CLS; 

• Be present in the office to work with staff and clients on ID-related matters, with some ability to work remotely;  

• Participate in office- or program-wide projects to provide training and/or community education to agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about legal services, issues, and rights of interest to low-income persons; and 

• Work with a vulnerable client populations that include people experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, seniors, veterans, LGBTQIA people, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Valid license to practice law in the state of Colorado 

• Ability to handle fast-moving, high-volume caseload 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Attention to detail with strong critical thinking, analytical, and time management skills 

• Willingness to work collaboratively with other members of the Unit and staff in other CLS offices 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in administrative and immigration law
• Proficiency in Spanish (testing may be required to assess proficiency)

How to Apply:

To apply, please use the "Apply for This Job" link on our careers page and submit your resume, cover letter, legal writing sample, and list of references no later than Friday, January 10.  In your cover letter, please indicate your preference for working in our Denver office or in our Colorado Springs office. Either is fine! Please also describe your relevant litigation experience and your experience working with vulnerable populations and/or with using Spanish language skills. Don't hesitate to reach out to Karen Vilner, our Director of People & Culture, at kvilner@colegalserv.org if you have any questions about the position.  

Compensation and Benefits:

We offer a generous plan that includes 100% employer paid premiums for employee health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, as well as partial employer paid premiums for spouses/dependents, based on a sliding scale. We also offer Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). CLS contributes $200/month to each employee's 403(b) retirement account and matches 100% of employee contributions up to 3% of employee salary; vesting occurs gradually with full vesting after 3 years of employment. Additionally, CLS offers generous paid time-off and 13 paid holidays per year. CLS non-exempt and non-grant staff are members of the United Legal Services Workers of Colorado.

CLS values its employees’ commitment to working hard for the population it serves and recognizes the importance of work/life balance. We promote and foster a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and psychologically safe work environment, striving to be a “Best Place to Work” in Colorado.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging:

CLS embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building and retaining a workforce that respects and empowers each individual and represents a variety of diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for this position.

Salary : $77,622 - $119,211