Supervising Attorney

ABOUT US: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services. OLC operates eleven offices around the state. It has a litigation support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program.

OLC strives to create a supportive work culture enriched by values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all staff. Our commitment to advancing DEI work is deeply connected to our ability to achieve client-oriented advocacy and access to justice for our low-income communities. The diversity of our staff is a strength and an asset to our organization that helps reflect and effectively advocate for our low-income client communities of diverse backgrounds.

The OLC Lane County Office consists of ten attorneys (including the advertised position), four legal assistants, and one senior law administrator. We set priorities according to client needs. Current priorities are housing law, domestic violence, senior law, immigration law, and public benefits. We seek to make real improvements in clients’ lives and to help eliminate the underlying causes of poverty.

POSITION: Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time supervising attorney to provide civil legal services to low-income clients as well as to assist the managing attorney in providing leadership for the Lane County Office. The position is based in Eugene, serving clients in Lane County. Eugene is one of the largest three cities in Oregon and has all the amenities of a bustling metropolis combined with convenient and easy access to the Cascade mountains and forest and the Pacific Ocean. Eugene is located along the Willamette River and has a dynamic mix of arts and culture, entertainment and sports, the University of Oregon, craft brewing and eclectic dining, and cycling and track and field opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The supervising attorney will be responsible for supervising and mentoring assigned staff; assisting with office operations and program management; working with the Managing Attorney to create and maintain high-quality services with impact focus; maintaining a varied caseload initially focusing on one or more of our legal priority areas, including strategic impact litigation; promoting mutual respect, acceptance, and teamwork among a diverse staff, and challenging and inspiring others to achieve positive results and grow professionally.

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented groups, such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and others. Even if you are unsure whether you meet every qualification described, we welcome your application.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Admission to Oregon Bar or willingness to take the next bar exam.
• Strong litigation skills.
• Strong orientation to systemic impact work.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, sense of humor, and positive attitude.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
• Interest in thinking creatively about how to address our clients’ legal issues.
• Interest in and aptitude for managing legal aid staff.

PREFERENCES:

• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish or another language spoken in the client community.
• Experience serving urban and rural areas and non-English-speaking communities.
• Training or experience in the dynamics of domestic violence and providing trauma-informed services.
• Management experience.
• Personal experience with poverty, disability, or any other minority status or affiliation.

SALARY/BENEFITS: $74,500 to $111,250, based on years of experience as an attorney. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid moving expenses and bar study leave, among others.

HOW TO APPLY: Resume review begins on February 17, 2024. Position open until filled. To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Heather Kemper, Deputy Director, [email protected].

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. It is essential to our work to serve clients that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to:

• serve our diverse client communities effectively,
• work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own,
• acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients face, and
• contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice.

Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.