What are the responsibilities and job description for the Brief Services Unit Staff Attorney (Housing and Public Benefits) position at National Legal Aid & Defender Association?
Position Description
Atlanta Legal Aid Society (“Legal Aid”) seeks a Staff Attorney to work in its Brief Services Unit. Our non-
profit law firm represents low-income people in a variety of civil legal matters including family, housing,
consumer, public benefits, education and health law. The Brief Services Unit provides legal advice, resources
and referrals to clients in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties. The Brief Services Unit staff
currently consists of a managing attorney, four attorneys, and four intake paralegals.
Responsibilities: The Staff Attorney performs client intake and provides advice, brief service, and/or referrals
in housing and public benefits matters. Housing cases include eviction and condition cases. Public benefits
cases include TANF, food stamps, social security, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid. The Staff Attorney will also
work with the Practice Innovation Manager to develop guided navigation, self-help materials, train and
supervise volunteers and law students.
Qualifications: A Georgia bar license and at least two years of relevant housing and public benefits experience
is required. Applicants must have a strong work ethic; excellent communication and listening skills; the ability
to balance compassion and pragmatism; good advocacy and writing skills; the ability to gather relevant
information, thoroughly investigate facts, and make determinations regarding the appropriate level of service to
be provided based on legal merit, priorities and resources. The ability to work on a team and alone; eagerness to
learn and openness to feedback; adaptability; and an appreciation of diversity are required. A demonstrated
interest in working with low-income people is preferred. Proficiency in languages other than English is highly
valued.
Salary and Benefits: The salary for two years of legal experience is $58,000. (The salary offered may increase
or decrease depending on the actual, relevant experience of the selected candidate.) Salaries currently increase
annually based on a salary scale. We recently engaged a compensation consultant to review our current
structure and make recommendations for improvement. The program provides generous fringe benefits
including 18 paid holidays (in 2024), 6 weeks paid time off, 6 weeks parental leave; health (including optional
dental and vision coverage), life, and long and short-term disability insurance; partial payment for dependent
health insurance; a salary reduction option for a flexible spending account; educational loan reimbursement up
to $600 per month (after a set off of other loan reimbursement amounts); voluntary tax-sheltered annuity with
3% match; Georgia Bar dues and CLE expenses. This position is fully remote with the exception of orientation
and training. This position may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of
Education.
Application Requirements: Submit a letter of interest; resume; writing sample (advice letter, legal
memorandum or brief); official law school transcript (a copy is acceptable pending your order of an official
transcript); and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three professional references (preferably
individuals who have supervised or managed your work) as one (1) PDF using our online application system at
atlantalegalaid.org/jobs. Only applications with all of the requested documents will be considered for an
interview.
Your application will be acknowledged. No phone calls please. For assistance with technical difficulties in
submitting your application, please email career@atlantalegalaid.org.
Legal Aid considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin,
religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Atlanta Legal Aid Society (“Legal Aid”) seeks a Staff Attorney to work in its Brief Services Unit. Our non-
profit law firm represents low-income people in a variety of civil legal matters including family, housing,
consumer, public benefits, education and health law. The Brief Services Unit provides legal advice, resources
and referrals to clients in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties. The Brief Services Unit staff
currently consists of a managing attorney, four attorneys, and four intake paralegals.
Responsibilities: The Staff Attorney performs client intake and provides advice, brief service, and/or referrals
in housing and public benefits matters. Housing cases include eviction and condition cases. Public benefits
cases include TANF, food stamps, social security, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid. The Staff Attorney will also
work with the Practice Innovation Manager to develop guided navigation, self-help materials, train and
supervise volunteers and law students.
Qualifications: A Georgia bar license and at least two years of relevant housing and public benefits experience
is required. Applicants must have a strong work ethic; excellent communication and listening skills; the ability
to balance compassion and pragmatism; good advocacy and writing skills; the ability to gather relevant
information, thoroughly investigate facts, and make determinations regarding the appropriate level of service to
be provided based on legal merit, priorities and resources. The ability to work on a team and alone; eagerness to
learn and openness to feedback; adaptability; and an appreciation of diversity are required. A demonstrated
interest in working with low-income people is preferred. Proficiency in languages other than English is highly
valued.
Salary and Benefits: The salary for two years of legal experience is $58,000. (The salary offered may increase
or decrease depending on the actual, relevant experience of the selected candidate.) Salaries currently increase
annually based on a salary scale. We recently engaged a compensation consultant to review our current
structure and make recommendations for improvement. The program provides generous fringe benefits
including 18 paid holidays (in 2024), 6 weeks paid time off, 6 weeks parental leave; health (including optional
dental and vision coverage), life, and long and short-term disability insurance; partial payment for dependent
health insurance; a salary reduction option for a flexible spending account; educational loan reimbursement up
to $600 per month (after a set off of other loan reimbursement amounts); voluntary tax-sheltered annuity with
3% match; Georgia Bar dues and CLE expenses. This position is fully remote with the exception of orientation
and training. This position may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of
Education.
Application Requirements: Submit a letter of interest; resume; writing sample (advice letter, legal
memorandum or brief); official law school transcript (a copy is acceptable pending your order of an official
transcript); and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three professional references (preferably
individuals who have supervised or managed your work) as one (1) PDF using our online application system at
atlantalegalaid.org/jobs. Only applications with all of the requested documents will be considered for an
interview.
Your application will be acknowledged. No phone calls please. For assistance with technical difficulties in
submitting your application, please email career@atlantalegalaid.org.
Legal Aid considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin,
religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Salary : $58,000
