Staff Attorney

Widener University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Widener University is seeking a Staff Attorney for its Philadelphia location in the Health, Education, and Legal Assistance Project. This hybrid role involves remote work and office duties in West Philadelphia, providing civil legal assistance to low-income families.

The Staff Attorney will engage in litigation, develop educational materials, and participate in advocacy activities. Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar and strong communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Must be willing to travel within the Philadelphia area as needed.
• Commitment to improving the lives of families with low incomes.
• Flexibility in working in various areas of practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct legal services including litigation.
• Develop and deliver trainings to public health partners.
• Engage in systemic advocacy efforts.

Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Excellent organizational and time-management skills

Verbal and written fluency in Spanish

Education

Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar

Tools

Electronic case management database

Job description

Staff Attorney

Job no: 493387
Work type: Full-time
Location: Delaware
Categories: Administrators

Widener University is currently seeking a Staff Attorney for its Philadelphia site of the Health, Education, and Legal Assistance Project: A Medical -Legal Partnership at Delaware Law School (HELP: MLP). This is a hybrid position in which the Staff Attorney will work remotely as well as in our West Philadelphia office. Reporting to the Director and Managing Attorney, this grant‑funded Staff Attorney role will be responsible for providing civil legal assistance to families with low incomes participating in maternal and child health programs. This role will work as part of an interdisciplinary team that supports families by coordinating direct legal services to clients, as well as providing training and education to public health partners, and engaging in systemic advocacy activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direct legal services to clients, including litigation of landlord/tenant, public benefits, and other matters.
• Develop and deliver trainings to public health and community partners.
• Develop educational materials for public health partners and clients, including fact sheets, checklists, and handouts.
• Manage and organize client information using forms and an electronic legal case management system.
• Perform legal research and writing.
• Engage in systemic advocacy efforts to advance policy goals and improve community-wide health.
• Participate in local, state, and national coalitions and workgroups.
• Support the development of grant applications, reports, newsletters, articles, and other written publications.
• Local travel as needed to see clients and participate in work‑related activities.
• Become and remain well‑informed regarding basic legal principles applicable to area(s) of practice, attending training conferences as needed or requested by supervising attorney(s).
• Other duties as assigned.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Provide supervision and mentorship to law students as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar. If not admitted in Pennsylvania, must be eligible to take the next scheduled bar examination and pass it.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to apply modern technology to performance of legal work and tasks, including keeping updated case notes in an electronic case management database.
• Contribute to the development of grant applications, reports, newsletters, articles, and other written publications.
• Must be willing to travel within the Philadelphia area as needed.
• Commitment to improving the lives of families with low incomes.
• Willingness and ability to perform duties in an interdisciplinary setting with public health partners.
• Flexibility, including willingness to work in any of HELP: MLP’s areas of practice as priorities may change based on clients’ needs or funding.

Preferred Qualifications

• Verbal and written fluency in Spanish.
• At least 3 years of legal services in one of the following areas: public benefits, housing law, or family law.
• Lived experience similar to clients served, including lived experience of poverty and other forms of social adversity and challenges.
• Familiarity and/or experience of Philadelphia legal networks.
• Familiarity with the social services and community resources available in Philadelphia and how to access them.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Hours

• Legal services at HELP: MLP are delivered at two sites - one in Eddystone, Pa., and one in Philadelphia, Pa. This position is located in West Philadelphia; however, the Staff Attorney will have a hybrid schedule of remote and on‑site work.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

EOE M/F/V/D

Advertised: 02 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time