Attorney, Government Benefits/Community Justice Worker Project — Tucson Office

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

Job summary

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Incorporated (SALA) seeks an attorney to join its Government Benefits Practice Group and support the Community Justice Worker Project in Tucson. The Staff Attorney will assist Arizona residents in accessing public benefits such as SNAP and VA, supervise CJWs, and provide civil legal services to the poor.

The role requires AZ Bar admission or eligibility, strong communication, and ability to work in a multicultural, low-income community.

Qualifications

• Must be a member of the State Bar of Arizona or eligible for admission.
• Criminal Background Check required.
• Ability to work with low-income and multicultural settings.
• Knowledgeable in general civil practice for the low-income community.

Responsibilities

• Develop a working knowledge 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.
• Providing limited assistance or brief services to clients.
• Conduct applicant intake and file maintenance.
• Legal research.
• Preparing and drafting legal documents, pleadings, motions, briefs, and appeals.
• Representing individual clients in appropriate legal forms including, state and federal court and in administrative proceedings where appropriate.
• Lead and participate in community outreach and education events.
• Provide legal supervision to CJW workers, law clerks, paralegals and support staff as assigned.
• Act in accordance with the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct, SALA’s and ABA’s Standards for Providing Civil Legal Services to the poor.

Skills

Communication skills

Initiative

Civil practice knowledge

Education

Arizona Bar admission

Bar admission transfer rules

Job description

Attorney, Government Benefits/Community Justice Worker Project — Tucson Office

Southern Arizona Legal Aid (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

• Develop a working knowledge of 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;
• Providing limited assistance or brief services to clients;
• Conduct applicant intake and file maintenance;
• Legal research;
• Preparing and drafting legal documents, pleadings, motions, briefs, and appeals;
• Representing individual clients in appropriate legal forms including, state and federal court and in administrative proceedings where appropriate;
• Where appropriate preparing and implementing an impact advocacy plan;
• Lead and participate in community outreach and education events;
• Provide legal supervision to CJW workers, law clerks, paralegals and support staff as assigned;
• Act in accordance with the 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 with SALA’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 benefits package including health insurance, disability insurance, and pension plan. 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 2343 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 200 Tucson AZ 85719-6007 520-623-9465 Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

DEADLINE

Open until filled.