Attorney - Government Benefits/Community Justice Worker Project

Southern Arizona Legal Aid Inc.; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 59,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Disability insurance

Pension plan

Student loan repayment

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. (SALA) is seeking a Staff Attorney for its Government Benefits Practice Group to support the Community Justice Worker Project across nine counties in Arizona.

You will provide legal services to residents seeking public benefits, supervise CJWs, and assist in related civil matters. The role requires Arizona bar admission or eligibility, strong civil‑practice experience, and a commitment to serving low‑income communities.

Qualifications

• Must be a member of the State Bar of Arizona or eligible for admission.
• High degree of sensitivity to low-income community issues; initiative and strong communication skills.
• Experience in general civil practice on behalf of the low-income community.

Responsibilities

• Develop knowledge of government benefits, debt collection, and family law.
• Interview clients and provide legal information, advice, and counseling.
• Provide limited assistance or brief services to clients.
• Conduct intake and file maintenance; perform legal research.
• Prepare and draft legal documents, pleadings, motions, briefs, and appeals.
• Represent clients in state and federal court and in admin proceedings when appropriate.
• Lead or participate in community outreach and education events.
• Supervise CJW workers, law clerks, and paralegals as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Initiative

Multi-cultural sensitivity

Civil practice

Education

Arizona Bar admission

Job description

Attorney–GovernmentBenefits/CommunityJusticeWorker Project

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. (SALA) serves 9 counties in Arizona and 11 Indian Reservations. SALA is hiring a staff attorney to work in its Government Benefits Practice Group and to support SALA's Community Justice Worker Project (CJW). This Staff Attorney is responsible for the provision of legal services to Arizona residents seeking access to public benefits such as SNAP, VA and other government benefits. Under the supervision of the Director of Litigation and Advocacy, supervise CWJs throughout the nine county service area. The Staff Attorney may be called upon to provide legal assistance to clients in other case priority areas.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Must be a member of the State Bar of Arizona or eligible for admission to the State Bar of Arizona, or pass the next State Bar of Arizona exam; applicants licensed two years in another US jurisdiction may practice by special rule. Criminal Background Check required.

Must exhibit a high degree of sensitivity to the problems of the low-income community and should be able to work with low-income and community groups. Must have initiative, good communication skills, and the ability to work well in a multi-cultural setting. Must be knowledgeable in the area of general civil practice on behalf of the low-income community.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developa working knowledgeof the law in the areas of government benefits, debt collection and family law;
• Interviewing and providing legal information, advice and legal counseling to Arizona residents, clients and the general public;
• Providinglimited assistanceor briefservicesto clients;
• Conductapplicant intakeandfile maintenance;
• Legal research;
• Preparinganddraftinglegaldocuments,pleadings, motions,briefs, and appeals;
• Representing individual clients in appropriate legal forms including, state and federal court and in administrative proceedings where appropriate;
• Whereappropriatepreparing and implementinganimpactadvocacy plan;
• Leadandparticipatein community outreachandeducation events;
• Provide legal supervision to CJW workers, law clerks, paralegals and support staff as assigned;
• Act in accordance withthe Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct,as well as SALA's and the ABA's Standards for Providing Civil Legal Services to the poor;
• Perform any other related duties as requested or assigned by the supervisor, Executive Director or Designee;
• Comply withSALA's policies and practices.

COMPENSATION

Salary range $58,656 - $101,915; Up to five percent additional compensation to individuals fluent in Spanish. Payment of bar exam and admission fees for those not yet admitted. Student loan repayment assistance. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility. Excellent benefitspackageincludinghealthinsurance,disabilityinsurance,andpensionplan. Excellent work/life balance with thirty-five-hour workweeks and generous leave provisions.

EOE: SALA is committed to equal employment opportunities for all workers, regardless of race, gender, disability or other protected class status. SALA is committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws and regulations. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply.

CONTACT

Hiring Committee

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. Continental Building

2343E.BroadwayBlvd,Suite 200

TucsonAZ85719-6007

[phone]/Fax:[phone]

Email: [e-mail]

DEADLINE

OpenUntil Filled