What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney position at Legal Aid and Defender?
Job Description
Job Description
Duties and Responsibilities :
1. Provides quality legal services to clients in an effective and efficient manner, by standards compatible with those required by the Canons of Professional Responsibility, bar associations, and funding sources.
2. Maintains a caseload, as assigned. Caseload responsibilities include advice and referral, case analysis, case management, drafting pleadings, research, mediation, conducting trials, appeals, pre-trial conferences, motions, discovery, and other court or administrative tribunal appearances as deemed necessary to effectively represent the client.
3. Knowledgeable of other legal aid services, bar associations, referral programs and social services available in the community.
4. Conducts public educational sessions and / or speaking engagements to community groups, educational institutions, churches governmental agencies, bar associations, etc. as requested.
5. Maintains accurate and current case files, statistics, and time records, pursuant to law group policies and procedures, and funding source requirements.
6. Participates in legal seminars, pro bono activities, and other public activities to enhance the image of LAD.
7. Follows LAD and law group policies and procedures.
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities that the Staff Attorney will perform. The Staff Attorney will follow instructions and perform the above and other duties and responsibilities, as requested by the Managing or Supervising Attorney, as assigned, with the approval of the Chief Counsel. The Staff Attorney will perform the job functions in an efficient and timely manner.
Essential Job Functions :
1. Ability to maintain presence in the office om a regular basis with good attendance and punctuality.
2. Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
3. Must be bondable.
4. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
5. Ability to exercise good judgment in a professional and diplomatic manner
6. Ability to analyze cases according to legal issues, legal strategy, pleadings, statutes, regulations or other information.
Education :
Graduation from an accredited law school.
Experience :
1. A beginning attorney (0-2 year of experience) will have clinical or clerking experience.
2. An experienced attorney will have civil trial practice experience, including court representation, mediation and appeals.
3. Desirable : Fluency in foreign language(s).
4. Knowledge of LAD and community resources.
Company Description
Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. (LAD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides comprehensive civil legal services to residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties who cannot afford an attorney. Founded in 1909, we are proud to be the oldest provider of free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Michigan. We have a full-time staff of attorneys, paralegals and legal support staff.
We are passionate about securing the rights of low-income individuals and assist with wide-ranging civil legal matters through both advocacy and representation. We help residents stay in their homes through eviction diversion programs, we fight for rightful government-provided benefits for those in need, and we work to improve the health and welfare of low-income families by addressing the root causes of poor health.
Company Description
Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. (LAD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides comprehensive civil legal services to residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties who cannot afford an attorney. Founded in 1909, we are proud to be the oldest provider of free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Michigan. We have a full-time staff of attorneys, paralegals and legal support staff. We are passionate about securing the rights of low-income individuals and assist with wide-ranging civil legal matters through both advocacy and representation. We help residents stay in their homes through eviction diversion programs, we fight for rightful government-provided benefits for those in need, and we work to improve the health and welfare of low-income families by addressing the root causes of poor health.