What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Legal Services SPPE Fellow position at Portland State University?
Position Details
Proposed Start Date
05/01/2025
Classification Title
Legal and Compliance
Rank
N - No Rank
Working Title
Student Legal Services SPPE Fellow
Department
331900 - SLS Legal Services
Position Number
D94467
Representation
UU - Unclassified Unrepresented
Renewable
Nonrenewable beyond - 12/15/2025
End date, if applicable
12/15/2025
Position FTE
1
Tenure Status
F - Fixed Term
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
Student Legal Services encourages students’ full participation in their academic endeavors by helping navigate obstacles to fulfilling educational and career goals. Student Legal Services pursues its mission through legal advice, legal representation, mentorship, community partnerships, and education designed to empower students:https://www.pdx.edu/student-legal-services/
Position Summary
PSU Student Legal Services is seeking 1 candidate to join SLS for a limited duration for a pilot program to obtain Oregon State Bar Membership through the new Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination (SPPE) program. Please see the eligibility requirements below in “Minimum Qualifications.” Application deadline of Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Ideal start date May 1, 2025.
Why SLS?
PSU Student Legal Services is a non-profit law firm located within Portland State University. We serve PSU students for FREE, on a variety of matters including landlord/tenant, family law, immigration, criminal, consumer rights, employment law and more. We address legal issues that impact students’ educational and career goals through legal advice, representation, mentorship, community partnerships, and education.
Great Experience:
The SLS SPPE Fellow will manage their own caseload, under the supervision of the Director, and work directly with a diverse group of PSU student clients with a diverse practice area.
Make an impact:
As an SLS Fellow, you can make a direct, positive impact on the lives of our clients. Over 90% of our clients report they would not have had access to legal help without the PSU SLS program.
Learn more about what we do at pdx.edu/sls
Duties and Responsibilities (under the supervision of an attorney)
- Maintain a caseload of family law, landlord/tenant, consumer law (including debt litigation), and potential other case types.
- Perform initial intakes and subsequent meetings with student clients.
- Communicate directly with clients via email and phone
- Conduct legal research to advise clients
- Negotiate with opposing parties and opposing counsel on behalf of clients
- Draft legal correspondence and pleadings
- Potential Court appearances
- Other legal duties as assigned by Director.
Minimum Qualifications
- Completed J.D. on or before May 31, 2025.
- Completed Classes in Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law or Investigatory Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Torts, and Real Property
- Not taking the July 2025 bar examination
- Location in or near Portland area at time of employment, and commitment to work on campus in downtown Portland
- Good people skills and common sense
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and deadlines
- Attention to detail
- High ethical standards
- Commitment to work for time agreed upon
- Commitment to public service
- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working with diverse populations
- Previous experience working in a legal setting
Key Cultural Competencies
- Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
- Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
- Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
- Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours
Usually Monday - Friday 8am-5pm
Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
This is a grant-funded temporary paid position, offering $25/hour. The position is funded at 40 hours per week from May 1, 2025 – December 15, 2025 with a goal to obtain Oregon State Bar admission during that period of time. This position is not benefits eligible.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
This position will be performed primarily on PSU Campus, located in downtown Portland. Limited hybrid shifts may be available as determined by PSU policy, but applicants are expected to be available to work in person as needed.
Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)
Applications are accepted until Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Early applications are encouraged!
Please upload a legal writing sample (no more than 5 pages, an excerpt is fine).
Please upload your law school transcripts under “Other 2” prompt. We are not screening based on grades, however, transcripts are necessary to show that you have completed classes in Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law or Investigatory Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Torts, and Real Property, per SPPE program requirements.
Please upload the names and telephone numbers for 3 professional references
Please upload a legal writing sample (no more than 5 pages, an excerpt is fine).
Please upload your law school transcripts under “Other 2” prompt. We are not screening based on grades, however, transcripts are necessary to show that you have completed classes in Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law or Investigatory Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Torts, and Real Property, per SPPE program requirements.
Please upload the names and telephone numbers for 3 professional references
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle?
No
Background Check Required
Yes
Position End Date (if applicable)
12/15/2025
If you have questions
Please contact Hannah Taube, Administrative Manager: htaube@pdx.edu
Salary : $25
