Regional Housing Unit Staff Attorney
Regional Housing Unit Staff Attorney – Chester city/Delaware County PA (LWHA12222021)
SUMMARY
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (“LASP”) seeks an attorney to provide civil legal services in housing-related matters, with a special focus on eviction prevention. LASP serves low-income individuals and families in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. This is a full-time regional position based in Chester city (Delaware County) and candidates must have the flexibility to handle assignments throughout LASP’s service area as the need arises. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
- Interviewing clients, assisting in determining eligibility for services, and ascertaining and investigating facts;
- Conducting legal research and interpreting statutes, case law, regulations, and other sources of law;
- Providing advice and counsel to clients;
- Preparing legal documents, including but not necessarily limited to: briefs, pleadings, motions, notices, correspondence, memoranda, discovery and documents responsive to discovery requests;
- Developing strategy and arguments for presentation of cases and assisting in preparation of witnesses for hearings and trials;
- Representing clients in trial and appellate courts and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies. Tenant advocacy may also require participation in court-based diversion programs and negotiation;
- Reviewing decisions and consulting with supervisor to determine merit of potential appeals;
- Participating in external professional and community organizations relevant to casework;
- Conducting outreach, clinics, community education, and workshops;
- Becoming engaged in LASP team efforts to achieve office and program goals, including participation in program-wide affinity groups and task forces;
- Developing knowledge of community referral resources and assessing community and client needs;
- Enhancing skills and substantive knowledge through training, CLE, and other educational opportunities;
- Abiding by all applicable professional standards of ethics and practice;
- Completing administrative tasks including entering of notes and timekeeping in LASP case management software, and maintaining of physical files;
- Ensuring that requirements of grants and contracts which may provide funding for the position are followed, and assisting with grant reports;
- Performing other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.
SUPERVISOR: Regional Housing Unit Supervising Attorney.
LASP is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in the recruitment, selection, or advancement of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information or on any other basis prohibited by law.
QUALIFICATIONS: License to practice law in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission to Pennsylvania. 0-5 years’ experience as a lawyer with relevant experience. Demonstrated proficiency in word processing, Outlook products, case management software, and online legal research tools. Passionate commitment to public interest law and serving low-income individuals and vulnerable populations. Strong written and oral advocacy and organizational skills. The successful candidate must be willing to accept complex and challenging cases and develop creative strategies to assist clients. Spanish language proficiency is desirable.
Send resume, writing sample and cover letter including the job title (Regional Housing Unit Staff Attorney (LWHA12222021)) to Kesha James, Esq., Deputy Director for Advocacy to Hiring@lasp.org. Position will remain open until filled.