ERTC Attorney

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & The Cumberlands; Tennessee; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Healthcare Savings Account

401k plan

Generous vacation/sick/holiday leave

Job summary

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & The Cumberlands seeks a Staff Attorney for the Eviction Right to Counsel (ERTC) Project in Nashville. The attorney will provide representation to income-eligible tenants and may engage in administrative advocacy, state and federal litigation, and tenant hotline support, following LASMTC guidelines and professional conduct rules.

Ideal candidates will have a JD and Tennessee admission or reciprocity eligibility, strong advocacy and organizational skills,

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) required and admitted to practice in Tennessee or eligible for reciprocity.
• Strong research, writing, and advocacy skills; ability to argue clearly and effectively.
• Ability to manage shifting priorities and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation to income-eligible tenants in eviction-related matters.
• Engage in holistic advocacy, including administrative work, litigation, hotline responses, and client education.
• Flexibility to act as advice-only or litigation-focused attorney based on program needs; litigators may represent clients in court.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Advocacy

Time management

Organization

MS Office

Professionalism

Bilingual (plus)

Courtroom advocacy

Team player

Integrity

Case management

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Windows

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Job description

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & The Cumberlands

ERTC Attorney

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & The Cumberlands

We are seeking a Staff Attorney for our Eviction Right to Counsel (ERTC) Project in Nashville. ERTC is a grant funded project wherein low- and moderate-income tenants facing eviction will be appointed legal representation to ensure equity and inclusion in the legal system. The Eviction Right to Counsel Attorney will provide legal representation to income-eligible clients in cases involving tenants’ rights (public/subsidized housing, Section 8, private landlord/tenant, and fair housing). As part of a holistic approach, representation may include administrative advocacy, litigation in state and federal courts, real-time response to tenant hotline questions, and community education for clients in accordance with LASMTC’s guidelines and priorities and the Rules of Professional Conduct. This position is funded in part by, and in collaboration with, one or more grants. Staff must adhere to goals and outcomes detailed in the grant contract. This position is funded for the duration of the grant and subsequent renewal may result in modification of job duties and responsibilities.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation to income-eligible clients in cases involving tenants rights.
• Represent clients as part of a holistic approach, representation may include administrative advocacy, litigation in state and federal courts, real-time response to tenant hotline questions, and community education for clients in accordance with LASMTC’s guidelines and priorities and the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Willingness to primarily work as an advice-only attorney or a litigation-only attorney depending on the needs of the program. Litigation attorneys will argue cases in court.
• Work as a member of a team independently, including willingness to help others (cooperative) and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience.

Qualifications

Juris Doctor (JD).

• Admitted to practice in Tennessee, eligible for admission through reciprocity, or willing to take first available bar examination.
• Excellent research, writing, and advocacy skills include the ability to advocate in a clear, effective, and logical manner both orally and in writing.
• Manage shifting priorities and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Basic proficiency in Windows and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel).
• Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Bilingual a plus.
• Experience in eviction court ideal.
• Energetic team player who gets along well with others.
• Demonstrate a personal sense of integrity.
• Take ownership of projects and produce solid work product.
• Address issues in a timely manner.
• Comfortable arguing cases in court.

Additional Information

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance coverage effective 1st of month after start of employment.
• Life Insurance, Healthcare Savings Account, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility, 401k plan, Generous Vacation/Sick/Holiday Leave.

LASMTC is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, people with disabilities, women, LBGTQIA+, and gender non-conforming applicants.