General Staff Attorney

Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc.

General Staff Attorney

Location: Machias - In office or hybrid remote

An opportunity to serve rural Maine! 

Pine Tree Legal Assistance is seeking a self-directed and motivated poverty law attorney to join the PTLA Machias team. This is an exciting opportunity to have an immediate and profound impact on civil legal needs in rural Maine, including for Maine’s indigenous peoples. Based out of our Machias office, this position serves the whole of the Hancock and Washington Counties, as well as the Penobscot Nation and Passamaquoddy communities. The attorney will be expected to maintain office hours at least two days a week.

As a general litigator, the attorney should expect to be in court on a regular basis to provide representation in consumer, landlord/tenant and benefits (including both health and income benefits) as well as provide administrative advocacy in a range of different civil needs.  While the typical caseload is handled at the District Court or Superior Court the attorney may handle appeals to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Depending on experience, the attorney may also handle cases in federal court. Case acceptance decisions are made by each office, consistent with Pine Tree’s approved Statement of Priorities and specific grant requirements, which may change over time. 

The attorney will enjoy the opportunity for travel throughout their service area. They will supervise and support the work of the local office paralegal(s) in the provision of limited legal assistance and in other work specific to the attorney’s caseload. Importantly, the attorney will work as a member of the office team and support the work of others in the office.  

The attorney will also engage in outreach within the service area such as participation in training and events geared toward community members and other agencies serving low-income clients in these rural communities. In addition, the attorney will contribute to community education and awareness of civil legal issues and the legal rights of people living and working in the surrounding communities through development of client education materials and engagement with local agencies, organizations, and client facing programs. Finally, the attorney may be involved in recruitment, training, and supervision of law students and undergraduate interns and volunteers in the office, as well as support of pro bono volunteers in the community. 

The attorney must be admitted to the practice of law in Maine or be eligible to practice under MRCP 11(c) while working at Pine Tree. . Applicant must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the state of Maine. This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.   

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for PTLA attorneys and other exempt staff is currently $69,490 - $106,490, depending on experience.

In addition, PTLA is proud to offer the following:

Employer-paid health insurance with a generous HRA contribution, generous health insurance opt-out benefit, employer-paid dental insurance, employer-paid life and disability insurance, and an annual contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan. Other voluntary options include vision and expanded life insurance. Staff enjoy 12 paid holidays, paid parental leave, and generous vacation, floating holidays, and sick leave.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to employing and supporting individuals who are passionate about social justice and have relevant work experience, regardless of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, religion, familial status or experience with poverty, receipt of public assistance, or homelessness. 

Salary : $69,490 - $106,490