Staff Attorney - Housing Helpline

Neighborhood Legal Services (Pennsylvania); Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits (via Highmark)

Life/ADD Insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

Short-term Disability Insurance

HRA (Health Reimbursement Account)

403b and Roth 403b after 1 year (opt)

Transportation benefits (Qualified)

Job summary

Neighborhood Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm serving low-income clients in housing matters. The Staff Attorney on the Housing Helpline provides legal representation and addresses housing insecurity issues including eviction prevention and other barriers to housing stability. The assignment may change with client needs and funding.

The staff attorneys handle high-volume, general law practice tasks, including advice, limited services, referrals, and extended representation as needed.

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania or admitted elsewhere and eligible for admission in Pennsylvania.

Responsibilities

• Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals.
• Conduct client interviews.
• Conduct legal research and develop case theory.
• Prepare pleadings and represent clients in negotiations, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Maintain case files and document activity as required by policy.
• Provide outreach to communities and participate in professional organizations.

Skills

Computer literacy

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Transportation to locations

Education

PA bar admission / eligible for admission in PA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

STAFF ATTORNEY

Job Title: Staff Attorney – Housing Helpline # 253

Department: Legal Services

Reports to: Managing Attorney of Housing

Neighborhood Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm fighting for justice for our low-income clients. The Staff Attorney for the NLS Helpline provides legal representation and address legal issues related to housing insecurity including eviction prevention and other legal barriers to housing stability. The job assignment may change as client needs and funding requirements change.

The Neighborhood Legal Services staff attorneys are to provide the highest quality of legal representation and handle all functions related to case work in a high-volume, general law practice. Legal representation may include providing advice, limited services, referral, and/or extended representation.

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 NLSA standards.
• Provide outreach to our communities and participate in professional organizations.
• Stay current on matters of the law.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• 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 law in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in Pennsylvania;

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
• 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
• Paid Time Off: (pro-rated first year)
• 15 vacation days
• 14 sick days
• 3 Personal Days
• 16 Holidays

NLSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.1/2022