Description

Organization Description

Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) is a private, non-profit organization providing free civil legal aid to low-income individuals across a ten-county region in northwestern PA since 1969. NWLS offers telephone advice, self-help clinics, community education, and direct legal representation to support clients with a range of civil legal issues. The service area includes Cameron, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, and Warren counties. NWLS is funded by federal, state, and local agencies, as well as public donations, and administers grants for specialized legal services. The organization is deeply engaged in community outreach and education to increase access to justice and legal resources. Legal services are not provided in fee-generating cases or in matters in which PA has an obligation to furnish counsel to the indigent. We do not provide services for prisoners or in criminal matters.

Responsibilities

NWLS Staff Attorneys work on-site and report directly to their office's Managing Attorney and the Executive Director. They will be expected to provide quality civil legal advice, individual (or group) representation and litigation, appellate practice, and be able to identify and navigate challenges to particular judicial practices and regulations. Staff Attorneys must also provide education and maintain educational materials to and for the low-income client community concerning their rights, as well as education of the larger community concerning these issues, and legislative and administrative education. 

Caseloads will include domestic violence, family law, consumer law, public benefits, housing, unemployment, and other areas of civil public interest and poverty law. The Erie office primarily covers cases in Erie County, but Erie Staff Attorneys may have to cover cases in other counties in the NWLS service area from time to time. Travel will be expected periodically for hearings, client meetings, community outreaches, and professional development and training activities. All travel mileage is reimbursed.

Attorneys will be expected to responsibly maintain and professionally manage their client caseloads with the utmost care and respect for rule of law, ethical conduct, and PA bar regulations and requirements. NWLS is mission-driven and focused on compassion and understanding of the civil legal needs of the low-income community.

Desired Skills & Work Culture

Applicants should have a passion for the provision of civil legal services to those who cannot afford to pay a private attorney. Attorneys will be expected to handle and manage their own paperwork and files, communication with their clients, keep important deadlines, and be compliant with funder requirements. Attorneys are also expected to keep detailed and contemporaneous time records and have organized and compliant file maintenance practices. New attorneys are extensively trained and mentored. We have a laid-back and practical work culture that new attorneys enjoy, emphasizing a work/life balance to help avoid burn-out and stress.

Qualifications

NWLS is seeking two (2) qualified candidates for the Staff Attorney positions in the main Erie office. In order to be considered for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree from an accredited law school.
• Be a PA Bar member, OR; be eligible to practice law in PA or for reciprocity, OR; have imminent plans to sit for or have recently taken the PA bar exam (bar passage is required).
• Be able to analyze and apply legal principles to practical problems in an understandable manner to clients, both verbally and in written communication.
• Have knowledge and understanding of the problems and needs of the low-income community and the ability to relate to poverty and community groups, as well as other staff.
• Have strong interpersonal skills and a client-centered approach, including the ability to work respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Have basic technological abilities and skills, including typing, computers, phones, and general office equipment, and familiarity with case management systems and office software programs.
• Be aware of and practice ethical principles and confidentiality standards for handling client information.
• Have organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accurate client files and time records.

Prior working experience with our client community or programs to aid low-income populations is a plus. The ability to communicate in a language other than English which is spoken by a significant segment of the client community is a plus.

Salary & Benefits

The starting annual salary for Staff Attorneys with 0-3 years’ experience is $65,000-67,000+. Starting salary increases based on relevant work experience and skills. Work hours are 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday.

Notable benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Dependent Care Account (DCA) available
• 12.5 Paid Holidays per year
• Vacation, Sick, and Leave Time
• Short-Term Disability; Long-Term Disability Available
• Automatic Annual Employer Contributions to 401(k), regardless of Employee Contribution
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance Programs available for qualified loans
• Employment currently qualifies for federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (subject to change)
• Employer-paid Professional Development Opportunities
• Stipend for qualified moving expenses
• Flexibility in work schedule and remote-working opportunities

Application Process

All applicants must submit a detailed cover letter, resume, minimum of 2 references, and a brief writing sample via email, mail, fax, or online to be considered. Cover letters should highlight and explain relevant experience and skills, explain any significant work history gaps, and include any other information that would be beneficial to the applicant's selection for interview. Resumes should include email and phone number contact information. Interviews will be scheduled at the end of July or early August. No telephone inquiries please. NWLS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

• Email: contact@nwls.org
• Mail: 1314 Griswold Plaza, Suite 103, Erie, PA 16501
• Fax: (814) 452-8145
• Online: https://www.nwls.org/legal-careers

For more information on NWLS, please visit our website at www.nwls.org.