Public Interest Helpline Attorney — Intake & Advice

Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.; Norristown (Montgomery County); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K retirement plan

Health insurance (100% premiums paid)

Paid holidays

Floating holidays

Personal leave

Vacation

Sick leave

Parental leave

Job summary

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) seeks a Helpline Intake Staff Attorney in Norristown to serve low-income clients across several counties. The role involves initial client contact, eligibility screening, and providing initial legal guidance, with collaboration with the Helpline Supervising Attorney to determine next steps and referrals.

The position is full-time with hybrid work options and occasional in-office work; may carry a small caseload for brief services.

Qualifications

• License to practice law in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission to Pennsylvania.
• At least two (2) years’ experience as a lawyer preferred with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office products, case management software, and online legal research tools.
• Passionate commitment to public interest law and serving low-income individuals and vulnerable populations.
• Strong written, and oral, advocacy and organizational skills are required.
• Spanish language fluency is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients by telephone, internet and in person.
• Screen clients to determine eligibility for LASP services, ascertaining and investigating facts, and conducting limited legal research.
• Advise clients of results of initial investigation and research and counseling clients regarding their options.
• Maintain case records for clients in the LegalServer case management system.
• Working in consultation with the Helpline Supervising Attorney on suggested next steps, including levels of service to be provided, and referring cases to LASP offices and specialty units for extended representation.
• Participating in external professional and community organizations relevant to working with vulnerable populations.
• Staffing clinics, community education events, and workshops.
• Becoming engaged in LASP team efforts to achieve office and program goals, including participation in program-wide affinity groups and task forces.
• Developing knowledge of community needs and referral resources.
• Enhancing skills and substantive knowledge through training, CLE, and other educational opportunities.
• Abiding by all applicable professional standards of ethics and practice.
• Completing required administrative tasks, including entering of notes and timekeeping in LASP case management software, and maintaining of physical files.
• Ensuring that requirements of grants and contracts, which may provide funding for the position, are followed, and assisting with grant reports.
• Performing other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Case management software

Online legal research

Written advocacy

Oral advocacy

Organizational skills

Spanish language (desirable)

Education

Law license (PA)

Job description

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) seeks a Helpline Intake Staff Attorney in Norristown to serve low-income clients across several counties. The role involves initial client contact, eligibility screening, and providing initial legal guidance, with collaboration with the Helpline Supervising Attorney to determine next steps and referrals.

The position is full-time with hybrid work options and occasional in-office work; may carry a small caseload for brief services.