Staff Attorney
OLC Staff Attorney—Coos Bay Office
POSITION: Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time staff attorney to provide civil legal services to low-income clients. The position is based in Coos Bay along the rugged southern Oregon coast, and serves clients throughout Coos, Curry, and Western Douglas Counties. These counties have a high poverty rate and limited access to services.
ABOUT US: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services. OLC does not receive funding from the federal Legal Services Corporation. OLC operates ten offices, a state support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program. OLC works closely with Legal Aid Services of Oregon and other partners in Oregon’s coordinated civil legal services delivery system.
OLC’s Coos Bay Office is a three person team comprised of two attorneys and a legal assistant. We assist clients in meeting challenges to their basic needs including freedom from violence, secure housing, income maintenance, and protection/enforcement of civil rights. Our office sets priorities according to client need. We seek to make a real difference in clients’ lives and to help eliminate the underlying causes of poverty.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The staff attorney will handle an independent case load of both impact and individual service cases. The staff attorney will also conduct community education and outreach to clients, community-based groups, and partner organizations.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
- A high degree of initiative and ability to independently manage a caseload.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, sense of humor, and positive attitude.
- Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
- Interest in thinking creatively about how to address our clients’ legal issues.
- Admission to Oregon Bar or sitting for the February 2015 exam.
PREFERENCES:
- 0-5 years of legal experience.
- Experience representing low-income clients.
- Experience with complex impact litigation and advocacy.
- Fluency in a second language (Spanish, Filipino, sign language, etc…)
- Life experience with poverty, disability, or other minority affiliation.
- Experience living in or desire to live in a small, rural, coastal community.
HOW TO APPLY: Deadline to apply is November 14, 2014. To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, writing sample, and list of three references to Brett A. Pruess, incoming Managing Attorney, Coos Bay Office, at bpruess@oregonlawcenter.org. No phone calls please.
OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a healthy work environment for a diverse staff. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.