Staff Attorney

Legal Aid of Western Missouri; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Plans with PPO or HSA options

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

401k and employer match

Job summary

A nonprofit legal services provider in Kansas City is seeking a full-time staff attorney for their Housing Team. This position involves representing low-income tenants facing eviction and advocating for residents in HUD-assisted housing. The ideal candidate will possess a Missouri Bar license, strong communication skills, and courtroom experience. The role offers a salary of $70,000 plus benefits including health plans, paid time off, and a 401k plan.

Qualifications

• Active Missouri Bar license or eligible for licensure in Missouri through reciprocity.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Courtroom experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent low-income tenants facing eviction.
• Collect and evaluate evidence for cases.
• Negotiate settlement agreements.

Skills

Public speaking

Strong communication skills

Case management

Negotiation

Education

Active Missouri Bar license or eligible for licensure in Missouri

Job description

Description

Legal Aid seeks a full‑time staff attorney for its Housing Team at our Central Office in Kansas City, Missouri. The Housing Team represents low‑income tenants who have been served with a court eviction in Kansas City and in administrative actions to protect the rights of tenants residing in subsidized HUD‑assisted housing units. An attorney in this position needs to be comfortable with public speaking, being in court multiple days a week, managing short deadlines, and working with populations in crisis. The primary duties include: (1) representation of tenants who exercise their right to counsel under the Kansas City Ordinance, (2) representation of subsidized HUD‑assisted housing tenants in administrative meetings and hearings, (3) collect and evaluate evidence, draft answers, motions for summary judgment or to dismiss, affirmative defenses, and counterclaims, (4) negotiate settlement agreements and work with rental assistance providers, (5) handle oral arguments and bench trials, (6) work efficiently with paralegals to accomplish tasks on their cases, and (7) collaborate with other members of the team and our partner agencies to cover hearings, create form templates, and uniform responses to certain issues affecting our clients.

Salary: $70,000 + DOE

Benefits

• Medical Plans with PPO or HSA options
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical or dependent care
• Health Savings Accounts
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick, Personal and Holidays
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• Travel and parking reimbursement
• 401k and employer match

Requirements

The qualified candidate must have the following:

• Active Missouri Bar license or eligible for licensure in Missouri through reciprocity
• Computer proficiency
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Desire and commitment to assist in the delivery of high‑quality legal assistance
• Ability to speak a second language, preferred, but not required
• Courtroom experience, preferred
• Experience handling housing cases is preferred, but not required

LAWMO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact Human Resources Department at [e-mail].