DeKalb County Staff Attorney

Atlanta Legal Aid Society; Decatur (GA); Hybrid; USD 58,815 - 71,885; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous fringe benefits

16 paid holidays

6 weeks of paid time off

Educational loan reimbursement

Job summary

A nonprofit legal organization seeks a Staff Attorney for its Decatur, Georgia office. The role involves handling civil legal matters, including family and housing law. Qualifications include being a member of the Georgia Bar and having excellent legal writing and communication skills, with a committed focus on public service. The salary is $65,350 with generous benefits and a hybrid work schedule. Applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample, and law school transcript.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of relevant legal experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service.
• Proficiency in languages other than English is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Handle a mixed caseload using various methods.
• Participate in task forces and local bar associations.

Skills

Strong work ethic

Excellent legal writing

Oral advocacy skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to work independently

Eagerness to learn

Education

Active member of the State Bar of Georgia

Law degree

Job description

Atlanta Legal Aid Society (“Legal Aid”) seeks a Staff Attorney for its DeKalb County office located in downtown Decatur, Georgia. Our nonprofit represents low-income people in a variety of civil legal matters including family, housing, consumer, public benefits, education and health law. The staff currently consists of a managing attorney, 7 staff attorneys (full and part time), 1 housing/domestic violence navigator, and 2 support staff.

Responsibilities

• The Staff Attorney handles a mixed caseload using a variety of methods including community education, advice and referral, brief service, transactional work, negotiation, mediation, and litigation.
• Attorneys are also encouraged to participate in task forces, committees, social service organizations, and local bar associations.

Qualifications

• Active member in good standing in the State Bar of Georgia.
• Minimum of three years of relevant legal experience.
• Strong work ethic and adaptability.
• Excellent legal writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, listening, and organizational skill.
• Ability to balance compassion and pragmatism.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a collaborative, hybrid team model, with an appreciation for diversity.
• Eagerness to learn and openness to feedback.
• Demonstrated commitment to public service, participation in law school clinics or trial advocacy courses, familiarity with poverty law, and previous work with low-income people are strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in languages other than English is highly valued.

Salary and Benefits

• The salary is $65,350, depending on experience. Salaries are reviewed and adjusted annually, depending on funding.
• Generous fringe benefits, including 16 paid holidays in 2026, 6 weeks of paid time off (accruing at 2.5 days per month) in the first two years, and 6 weeks of parental leave (12 weeks after one year)
• Individual health insurance, including optional dental and vision coverage, with partial payment for dependent health insurance
• Life, and long and short-term disability insurance
• Salary reduction option for a flexible spending account
• Educational loan reimbursement up to $600 per month (after a set off of other loan reimbursement amounts
• Voluntary tax-sheltered annuity with 3% match
• State Bar of Georgia dues and CLE expenses
• This position may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
• Legal Aid offers a hybrid work schedule that allows staff to work 2 days remotely subject to management approval and a probationary employment period.

Application Requirements

Submit a letter of interest; resume; writing sample (advice letter, legal memorandum or brief); official law school transcript (a copy is acceptable pending your order of an official transcript); and the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional references (preferably individuals who have supervised or managed your work) with a brief statement as to the connection to the applicant, as one (1) PDF using our online application system at the following link: Atlantalegalaid.org/jobs.

Only applications with all requested documents will be considered for an interview.

Your application will be acknowledged. No phone calls please. For technical difficulties in submitting your application, please email [e-mail].

ALAS considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.