What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney - MLK Fellowship position at Neighborhood Legal Services?
STAFF ATTORNEY – Fellowship Opportunity
Job Title: Staff Attorney #241 Pittsburgh Office
Department: Legal Services
Reports to: Managing Attorney - Housing
Neighborhood Legal Services is a non-profit organization that secures justice and resolves fundamental legal problems for those who are low-income and vulnerable in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence Counties by providing high-quality legal services and community legal education. Founded in 1966, NLS has provided civil legal aid to more than 1.2 million of our low-income neighbors in need of legal assistance .
The Neighborhood Legal Services staff attorneys are to provide the highest quality of legal representation and handle all functions related to case work in a high-volume, general law practice. Legal representation may include providing advice, limited services, referral, and/or extended representation.
Fellowship Details:
The MLK, Jr. Fellow will work as a staff attorney to provide legal representation and address legal issues related to housing insecurity including eviction prevention and other legal barriers to housing stability. The position will require courtroom appearances as well as phone advice and consultation.
The MLK, Jr. Fellow will work as a staff attorney to provide legal representation and address legal issues related to housing insecurity including eviction prevention and other legal barriers to housing stability. The position will require courtroom appearances as well as phone advice and consultation.
Additionally, the MLK, Jr. Fellow will assist PLAN, Inc. to advance the priority initiatives which includes, but is not limited, to in-person and virtual training facilitation.
JOB SUMMARY:
In this role, the staff attorney will provide legal representation and address legal issues related to housing insecurity including eviction prevention and other legal barriers to housing stability. This position will provide full service at the Magistrate level in the Lawyer of the Day Program. The legal areas may change as client needs and funding requirements change.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals, as needed;
- Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients;
- Conduct factual investigation, analysis, and legal research, as needed;
- Develop case theory and strategy for the representation;
- Keep clients informed on an ongoing basis and provide counsel about their options;
- Prepare pleadings, including but not limited to, complaints, answers, memoranda of law, briefs as may be needed;
- Prepare cases and represent clients in negotiations, hearings, trials, and appeals;
- Monitor client files and close files in a timely manner as required by program policy;
- Enter time in a timely manner pursuant to program policy;
- Maintain case files in accordance with NLSA standards.
- Provide outreach to our communities and participate in professional organizations.
- Stay current on matters of the law.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- Strong computer knowledge and skills. Strong in Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong organizational skills and attention to details.
- Excellent interpersonal and client service skills
- A demonstrated commitment to economic and racial justice.
- Ability to establish a professional relationship with clients in a way that fosters client trust and confidence is a must.
- Must have efficient transportation to locations other than the NLS office as needed for work
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in Pennsylvania;
- Current Driver’s License
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- NLS 100% paid healthcare through Highmark that includes prescription and dental coverage
- NLS 100% paid Life/ADD, Long-term Disability, Short-term Disability Insurance
- NLS paid Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
- Contributions to a 403b and/or Roth 403b after one-year of service (optional)
- Options that you may choose to purchase or contribute to include:
- Vision Insurance
- FSA – Medical Account
- FSA - Dependent Care Account
- Qualified Transportation Election
- Paid Time Off: (pro-rated first year)
- 15 vacation days
- 14 sick days
- 3 Personal Days
- 15 Holidays
TO APPLY:
- Please electronically by submitting a cover letter, resume, three professional or academic references (must identify relationship with reference), official law school transcript, and a personal writing sample (limit 10 pages) to:
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
MLKPrograms@palegalaid.net
MLKPrograms@palegalaid.net
- For more information: https://palegalaid.net/internships-fellowships
- For more information on NLS: https://nlsa.us/
Neighborhood Legal Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer 11/2023
