Staff Attorney - Homeownership Rights

Lawjournalpress; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization focused on supporting vulnerable homeowners seeks a Staff Attorney to provide legal services and advocacy for older low-income individuals facing foreclosure and other housing challenges. The role emphasizes client representation, community outreach, and educational initiatives aimed at enhancing access to justice for older homeowners. This position requires excellent advocacy and negotiating skills, as well as a strong commitment to the organization's mission.

Qualifications

• Must be a motivated self-starter.
• Must possess high quality advocacy and negotiating skills.
• Experience consulting older homeowners preferred.

Responsibilities

• Handle all aspects of client representation related to homeownership.
• Conduct community outreach and education workshops for older homeowners.
• Provide civil legal assistance in foreclosure and title matters.

Skills

Advocacy

Negotiation

Organizational Skills

Writing

Interpersonal Skills

Presentation Skills

Cultural Sensitivity

Education

Juris Doctor

Active member of the Pennsylvania Bar

Job description

Position Summary:
The Staff Attorney, Homeownership Rights provides direct legal services to and engages in education
and advocacy on behalf of older low-income or vulnerable homeowners facing foreclosure, tangled
title or other situations putting their home at risk.

Role-Based Duties and Responsibilities:

Client-related

- Handle all aspects of client representation, including, but not limited to:
-screening and interviewing walk-in and/or emergency clients
-conducting client interviews by telephone or in person to give legal opinion or recommend a caseis accepted for further services
-filing necessary court documents timely
-analyzing facts to prepare appropriate case strategies
-preparing for all court appearances
-assessing holistic legal needs of clients and make referrals internally and externally
-providing technical assistance to staff and volunteer attorneys

-Handle case-related tasks including but not limited to:
-retrieving, transcribing, and performing prescreen data entry in the case management system as needed
-preparing and mailing retainers and letters, drafting court documents
-communicating with clients or third parties via telephone, email, text message or other by othermeans
- preparing case files for hearing/trial

- maintaining case files and case management database
-conducting home visits to frail or homebound clients
-handling other case or client related tasks as necessary

- Utilize Language line or other interpretation services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) older adults.
- Provide information and referrals to older homeowners, linking them to other resources and
supportive services, including emergency financial assistance, support groups, health services and
other resources.

Community Outreach and Education

- Represent SeniorLAW Center at professional committees/coalitions related to homeowners issues to
advocate for better services and access to justice for older homeowners.
- Develop and present legal education workshops to older homeowners.
- Aid in the development of educational materials and resources for older homeowners and “bestpractices” resources for professionals.
- Aid in planning, organizing, and attending community outreach and tabling events.
- Assist with community clinics focused on older homeowners.
- Coordinate with Project Director to update website, E-News, and other communication tools with project related information.

Additional Responsibilities:

- Participate in scheduled project related meetings.
- Participate in staff and Legal team meetings.
- Provide support to other colleagues agency wide as needed.
- Assist with on-boarding staff as needed.
- Become knowledgeable of and follow all SeniorLAW Center’s personnel and legal policies andprocedures.
- Demonstrate and model commitment to SeniorLAW Center’s mission and values.
- Participate in SeniorLAW Center’s culture of philanthropy and events to support the organization.
- Assist with quality control and case management data collection and reporting asnecessary.
- Other responsibilities to further mission of the project and organization.

Project-Based Duties and Responsibilities:

Client-related
- Provide civil legal assistance to older homeowners, including, but not limited to:
-representing homeowners in mortgage foreclosure diversion court.
-representing homeowners defending mortgage foreclosure complaints, as assigned by ProjectSupervisor.
-representing clients in probate and estate administration or other civil proceeding to untangleor otherwise clear title.

-filing of and representing older homeowners in other civil legal matters as assigned by ProjectSupervisor.
-preparation of deeds to establish or confirm homeownership.
-preparation of Wills and other personal planning documents for older homeowners.
-advice or brief services to older homeowners on a variety of civil legal matters related tohomeownership.

- Provide advocacy and referrals to SeniorLAW Center clients with the primary focus on olderhomeowners.
- Other duties as identified by Project Supervisor.

Systemic Advocacy

Identify systemic problems affecting older homeowners and work with our local, statewide andnational partners to develop creative solutions.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of
activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties,
responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience:
- Juris Doctor
Active member of the Pennsylvania Bar in good standing

Preferred Education and Experience:

- Experience consulting older homeowners
- Experience in financing, title, or mortgage foreclosure litigation
- Courtroom experience
- Second language proficiency

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors:

- Must be a motivated self-starter
- Must possess high quality advocacy and negotiating skills
- Highly professional, organized, energetic, flexible, and culturally sensitive
- Excellent writing, organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills
- Interest and ability to work with older people and persons of different backgrounds