Staff Attorney - Family Law

Neighborhood Legal Services; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare (NLS 100% paid)

Life/ADD and Disability Insurance

Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)

403b and Roth 403b after one year

Transportation benefits

Job summary

Neighborhood Legal Services seeks a Staff Attorney - Family Law to provide high-quality legal representation in a high-volume civil practice. The attorney will handle cases involving domestic and sexual violence, housing, expungement, and consumer matters to enhance victim safety and child well-being.

The role requires trauma-informed practice, collaboration with attorneys, social workers, and advocates across counties, and a commitment to serving low-income clients in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler,

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in Pennsylvania.
• Specialized training on domestic and sexual violence dynamics and the impact of trauma so as to provide trauma-informed services.

Responsibilities

• Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals as needed.
• Conduct client interviews and maintain ongoing client communication.
• Perform factual investigation, legal research, and develop case strategy.
• Prepare pleadings and represent clients in negotiations, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Maintain client files per program policy and manage time records.
• Collaborate with domestic violence and sexual violence programs in each county.

Skills

Bar admission (PA)

Microsoft Office

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Transportation to multiple locations

Education

PA bar admission eligibility

Job description

NLS secures justice and resolves fundamental legal problems for those who are low-income and vulnerable in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence Counties by providing high-quality legal services and community legal education. Founded in 1966, NLS has provided civil legal aid to more than 1.2 million of our low-income neighbors in need of legal assistance.

Job Title: Staff Attorney # 254

Department: Legal Services

Reports to: Managing Attorney

JOB SUMMARY:

The Staff Attorney - Family Law, provides the highest quality of legal representation and handles all functions related to case work in a high-volume, general law practice. This work involves providing legal representation to crime victims seeking relief under the Sexual Violence or Intimidation Protection Act and the Protection from Abuse Act; in need of representation with custody matters which will improve victim safety and the safety and well-being of the victim’s children; and who may require representation on housing, expungement, and consumer matters.

Legal representation may include providing advice, limited services, referral, and/or extended representation. The Staff Attorney is specially trained in domestic and sexual violence dynamics and trauma and works with attorneys, paralegals, social workers, law students, domestic violence advocates, and others to ensure that the emergency needs of each applicant are being explored and pursued.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals, as needed;
• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients;
• Conduct factual investigation, analysis, and legal research, as needed;
• Develop case theory and strategy for the representation;
• Keep clients informed on an ongoing basis and provide counsel about their options;
• Prepare pleadings, including but not limited to, complaints, answers, memoranda of law, briefs as may be needed;
• Prepare cases and represent clients in negotiations, hearings, trials, and appeals;
• Monitor client files and close files in a timely manner as required by program policy;
• Enter time in a timely manner pursuant to program policy;
• Maintain case files in accordance with NLS standards.
• Stay current on the law
• Work collaboratively with the domestic violence and sexual violence programs in each respective county.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

• Identify and work with management to address project sustainability;
• Assist with project evaluation

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• A dmitted to practice in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in Pennsylvania;
• Strong computer knowledge and skills. Strong in Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong organizational skills and attention to details.
• Excellent interpersonal and client service skills
• Must have efficient transportation to locations other than the NLSA office as needed for work;

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in Pennsylvania;
• Receive specialized training on domestic and sexual violence dynamics and the impact of trauma so as to be able to provide trauma-informed services.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• NLS 100% paid healthcare through Highmark that includes prescription and dental coverage
• NLS 100% paid Life/ADD, Long-term Disability, Short-term Disability Insurance
• NLS paid Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Contributions to a 403b and/or Roth 403b after one-year of service (optional)
• Options that you may choose to purchase or contribute to include:
  • Vision Insurance
  • FSA – Medical Account
  • FSA - Dependent Care Account
  • Qualified Transportation Election