Managing Attorney
We are seeking an individual to lead the office in going after the root causes of poverty through direct representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, partnerships, and community lawyering. SEOLS, which serves 30 counties in southeastern and central Ohio, is one component of Ohio State Legal Services Association (OSLSA) which fights poverty and its impact through its two field programs, SEOLS and The Legal Aid Society of Columbus, and its statewide advocacy program, the Ohio Poverty Law Center. The office consists of a project managing attorney, five staff attorneys, a paralegal, and two support staff.
Our managing attorneys are encouraged and supported in being creative, effective advocates in federal, state, and local judicial, administrative, legislative, and community advocacy forums. Additional information about OSLSA is available at www.seols.org; www.columbuslegalaid.org; and www.ohiopovertylawcenter.org.
In addition to using direct representation in judicial and administrative forums in the many areas of poverty law, SEOLS attorneys are encouraged and supported to use the tools of legislative, policy, media, and partnerships with community organizations and others, such as medical care providers, addiction treatment facilities, Head Start parents, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Disability Rights Ohio, Ohio Domestic Violence Network, etc., to identify and go after barriers to getting out of poverty for low income families, youth aging out of foster care or who are homeless, victims of domestic violence or the opioid crisis, children being pushed out of public school or not receiving the education needed to succeed, and all who struggle to get and keep decent housing, employment, healthcare, and education.
SEOLS mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to combat unfairness and injustice and to help people rise out of poverty. The Athens office services Athens, Gallia, Meigs, Morgan, Noble, Vinton, and Washington counties. In addition to handling a reduce caseload, the managing attorney is responsible for overseeing the office’s operations, consistent with program policies and procedures and ensuing its effective multi-forum advocacy in pursuit of our mission, implementing program priorities, building strong community and legislative relations, and helping to seek funding opportunities. All of our managing attorneys are part of the OSLSA’s management team, which includes an executive director and litigation director, who, along with LASC’s managing attorneys meet every bi-monthly to help coordinate, plan, and carry out the program’s advocacy. In addition, OSLSA has a chief financial officer, development director, grants manager, communications coordinator, and pro bono coordinator.
Licensed to practice in Ohio, eligible for admission by reciprocity, or willing to take the next available bar examination; demonstrated management and leadership abilities; commitment to serving the indigent; at least three years of relevant experience, including progressive advocacy experience; capable in and appreciative of the use of technology, excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills; ability to think and plan strategically and to model and promote a positive, creative work ethic and work environment; and readiness to travel throughout the office’s service area
In addition to a salary of $60,000+, DOE, excellent benefits/leave package and LRAP through our state funder, OSLSA provides excellent ongoing training opportunities for its advocates at bi-annual programwide retreats, state, multi-state, and national trainings and expectations to participate actively on SEOLS’s substantive law teams as well as statewide task forces and advocacy efforts.
If interested, submit resume, cover letter, writing sample, and references to James Daniels, Director, SEOLS, jdaniels@seols.org.
We are an equal opportunity Affirmative Action employer.