Attorney

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio; Athens (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer funded HRA

Dental and vision insurance

Language differential

Paid vacation, sick and holidays

LRAP program

Job summary

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) seeks a Staff or Senior Attorney in its Athens, Ohio office to provide comprehensive civil legal services across housing, public benefits, tax, domestic, consumer, education, employment and re-entry matters. Travel within service counties is required; commitment to a diverse, inclusive workforce is emphasized.

The role focuses on client advocacy from intake to representation in local, state, appellate and federal forums, balancing direct service

Qualifications

• Strong legal advocacy skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• High ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion
• High ability to facilitate collaboration and build relationships with diverse individuals and organizations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Strong work ethic
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications; stay up to date with industry best practices
• English proficiency essential; Spanish/English bilingual a plus

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and direct representation across housing, public benefits, tax, domestic, consumer, education, employment and re-entry issues
• Maintain a caseload with direct service and impact work
• Participate in substantive teams focusing on one area of law and systemic issues
• Engage in outreach, clinics and community events
• Collaborate with other LASCO attorneys on statewide advocacy
• Promote community relations with the public and partner service providers

Skills

Legal advocacy

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Judgment

Collaboration

Communication

Diversity & inclusion

Work ethic

MS Office

English proficiency

Education

Juris Doctor

Ohio Bar admission or eligible within 12 months

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO)’s mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice, reduce poverty, and increase opportunity. LASCO has a long-standing history of being committed to searching out the patterns, causes of, and solutions to the repetitive and fundamental legal problems facing low-income Ohioans and pursuing the legal recourse needed to address those problems. Since 1966, our organizations have helped thousands of Ohio’s poor obtain and keep housing, secure public benefits, worked with families to gain and maintain economic stability, and helped domestic violence survivors to live free of fear and abuse and to obtain the resources needed to sustain themselves and their children.

LASCO is actively seeking dedicated, professional Staff or Senior Attorney in our Athens, Ohio office to provide comprehensive legal services for civil issues in pursuit of LASCO mission and priorities. The Athens office is one of the eight offices in the service area, allowing the person in this role to be a part of a community consisting of collaborative and mission-driven attorneys doing impact work in their respective communities. Attorneys balance systemic advocacy with practical day-to-day legal representation. Athens is proud of its rich history, diverse campuses, international communities, and beautiful Appalachian settings. As part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative legal experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming, respectful, diverse, and inclusive workforce and community.

In this role, you will be responsible for providing legal counsel and advice as well as direct representation in the areas of housing, public benefits, tax, domestic, consumer, education, employment and re-entry and collaborating with partner organizations in providing legal assistance to our communities through special projects and grants.

Are You Someone Who:

• Is dedicated to improving the lives of low-income individuals in our communities?
• Enjoys helping clients triumph over adversity?
• Is motivated, professional and thrives within a collaborative, team-driven environment?
• Believes successful resolution can be reached beyond traditional litigation?
• Is interested in developing a wide range of legal skills and experiences?

You Will:

• Handle all functions related to legal advocacy ranging from intake to the representation of clients before local, state, appellate and federal courts, and all relevant agencies
• Maintain a caseload that includes both direct service and impact work
• Participate in one of our substantive teams focused on learning one area of the law more in depth and on addressing systemic issues
• Participate in outreach activities, clinics and other community events
• Collaborate with other legal services attorneys on statewide advocacy
• Promote community relations and build community relationships by engaging with the public and partner service providers
• Have the opportunity to participate in excellent on-going professional development including CLE-approved trainings on substantive poverty law and advocacy skills among others
• Be a part of a community of collaborative and mission driven professionals

Requirements

You Have:

• Strong legal advocacy skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• High ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion
• High ability to facilitate collaboration as well as build and sustain productive relationships with diverse individuals, groups and organizations
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and written, with diverse audiences
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion both internally and externally
• Strong work ethic
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, knowledge of current technologies and commitment to remain up to date with industry best practices
• English language proficiency is essential and Spanish/English bilingual skills are a plus. Additional languages - even better
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio (or if not currently admitted, expected to obtain admission within 12 months from date of hire) preferred
• Prior Legal Aid or related work experience a plus, but not required

Other Details:

• It is the policy of LASCO not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, and military status or any other characteristic protected by law.
• This position reports to the Managing Attorney and is based in Athens, Ohio. This role will require some travel throughout the following service areas: Noble, Morgan, Washington, Athens, Meigs, Gallia, and Vinton counties.
• Salary begins at $75,000 DOE (Senior Attorney begins at $77,000 DOE).
• LASCO offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package, currently including an employer funded HRA (up to $12,000), employer-paid employee dental and vision insurance, a language skills differential ($2,500-$3,500 annually), paid vacation, sick and holiday time, LRAP (up to $6,000), and ongoing training and development opportunities.

Salary Description

$75,000 starting (DOE)