Staff Attorney

Position Title: West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc. (WTLS) Staff Attorney

Department: Family Centered Legal Solutions, Office on Violence Against

Women Legal Assistance for Victims

Employment Status: Full-time; exempt

Location: Jackson or Selmer, Tennessee offices

Supervisor: DOJ Managing Attorney/Family Law Unit Manager

Prepared: November 13, 2024

Job Summary: This position is funded 50% under the Family Centered Legal Solutions grant and the position’s remaining 50% under the US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women Legal Assistance for Victims (DOJ) grant.

The DOJ project’s focus is providing holistic civil legal services to eligible clients who are either: (1) victims of sexual assault; (2) LGBTQ victims of intimate partner violence; or (3) Spanish-speaking victims of intimate partner violence. Grant positions are funded through the duration of the grant and subsequent renewal could result in modification of job duties and responsibilities.

The Family-Centered Legal Solutions (FCLS) grant is funded through Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS). The project’s focus is stabilizing the household by providing outreach, education, and holistic legal advocacy to low-income families with children. Grant positions are funded through the duration of the grant, and subsequent renewal could result in modification of job duties and responsibilities.

As part of a holistic approach, representation may include varying areas of law, including, but not limited to, administrative advocacy, and litigation in state and federal courts. Case types will include housing, protective orders, access to healthcare, consumer protection, employment law, family law, and access to benefits.

Duties/Responsibilities: The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

· Provide direct legal assistance to individuals and groups, including interviewing clients, researching, performing factual investigations, preparing pleadings and memoranda, negotiating case resolutions, and representing clients in court and administrative hearings.

· Provide counsel, advice, and other brief services when appropriate.

· Co-counsel with other attorneys and work with paralegals.

· Develop and implement litigation and/or advocacy strategies to address systemic legal problems.

· Participate on internal committees, work groups, and other efforts to promote and improve WTLS operations.

· Establish and maintain professional working relationships with office staff.

· Accurately record and update timekeeping entries in real-time, ensuring detailed and precise documentation of work hours, project time allocation, and task completion for reporting and payroll purposes.

· Comply with program policies and regulations of the Legal Services Corporation and other funders.

· Comply with relevant portions of the Legal Services Corporation’s Performance Criteria and the American Bar Association’s Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid.

· Be receptive to mentoring and supervision in accordance with the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence best practice recommendations;

· Provide outreach and education for DOJ grant targeted client populations;

· Collaborate with the DOJ grant’s Project Partners to educate, conduct community outreach to facilitate potential client referrals, and enhance service delivery;

· Comply with all applicable organizational, professional, and legal requirements for confidentiality.

· Perform other duties and training as requested by supervisor.

Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job.   

· J.D. Degree. 

· Current licensure in good standing in Tennessee or eligible for reciprocity and willing to secure reciprocity. 

· Ability to conduct research and analysis of pertinent legal authority. 

· Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions. 

· Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations, or administrative proceedings; to give public presentations, conduct trainings, and do client outreach; and to conduct community outreach. 

· Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals from ethnic or language distinct communities. 

· Sufficient computer skills to be able to maintain client records, prepare documents, maintain time records, etc. as required. 

· Ability to competently use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Professional. 

· Ability to competently use company software packages. 

Success Factors: 

• Demonstrate a commitment to the principle of equal justice and to advocacy for low-income people.   
• Treat clients, staff, and the public with dignity and respect.
• Appreciate the experiences and needs of people of diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate a personal sense of integrity.
• Take ownership of projects and produce solid work products.
• Work as a member of a team and independently, with the ability to work cooperatively in helping others and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience.
• Address issues in a timely manner.
• Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Handle, and prioritize, competing demands.

Working Conditions:

· Work during office hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. A break consisting of 30 minutes, minimum, must be taken when scheduled to work 6 hours in a workday. Work hours must be accurate and contemporaneously recorded. A flextime of work hours may be used, if approved. Your supervisor will consider the needs of the office and the preference of more senior employees before approving flextime. Work after hours or on weekends may be occasionally required.

· Work is performed primarily in an office setting with some work being performed in outreach settings.

· Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

· Often communicating with people using the phone, email, via video call, or in-person.

· Occasionally lifting of up to 15 pounds.

· Travel within the service area of WTLS may be necessary.

Compensation & Benefits:

· Compensation: DOE. Starting salary is $58,155. This position is a full-time position and compensation is made according to the Wage Administration Plan that became effective on August 1, 2007 (as revised on April 22, 2019).

· Benefits: Full-time benefits include the ability to participate in WTLS’ health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, LTD, Life Insurance, 401k retirement plan, paid Annual Leave (based on years of employment-starting at 12 days per year), paid Sick Leave (12 days per year), paid Holidays (12), and paid week off between Christmas and New Year.

HOW TO APPLY: Send applications via email in Word or PDF format to Hiring@wtls.org . Applicants must include a cover letter specifying preferred office location, resume, writing sample, and three references with phone numbers. Applications will be accepted and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. No inquiries accepted. Only applicants scheduled for interviews will be notified.

WTLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $58,155.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• Bar (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Jackson, TN 38301 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $58,155