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Staff Attorney

Description: 

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney for its Roseburg office.

Background
LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program committed to advocacy strategies that will have a demonstrable effect on community problems.

Responsibilities
The attorney will be responsible for maintaining a varied poverty related caseload, which may include public benefits, housing, civil rights (broadly defined), protection from abuse, and limited family law. Everyone in the office is expected to assist clients understanding and asserting their rights. For example, LASO staff is in the forefront of enforcing, and educating the public about, significant changes to Oregon’s landlord-tenant law. All LASO lawyers are expected to carry a mixed caseload with both service and impact cases, meaning that some of every lawyer’s caseload is expected to contain cases that have a target or chance of supporting improvements to policy, practice, or law. Currently, the majority of the Douglas County caseload is focused on housing related matters but that varies depending on demand, priorities, and capacity of the office. In addition to a caseload, staff attorneys are expected to participate in periodic priority setting, outreach, and community education. Staff attorneys are encouraged, but not required, to participate in OSB related committees as well.

Douglas County
This office serves clients throughout one of Oregon’s few crest to coast counties. Our population of potential clients is geographically and economically diverse, as are their legal needs and issues. Douglas County has an aging population with three federally identified poverty hot spots, and the expected legal issues that flow from concentrations of people with low incomes. We provide trauma informed civil legal services in a wide variety of cases based on the needs of the community and the capacity of the office.  The office priorities are adjusted periodically, but currently focus on protection from all forms of abuse, housing stability, public benefits, and civil rights. We work closely with various local agencies and have a number of clients who are either homeless, English Language Learners, and/or who are persons with disabilities.
In addition to offering interesting and varied clients and cases, Douglas County has a plethora of activities for people who like the outdoors. The Umpqua River provides rafting, fishing, waterfalls and hot springs. The mild climate support gardening opportunities and a thriving local wine industry. We are just over an hour to the Coast and closer than that to the Cascades. We have numerous places for hiking, camping, biking, etc. In the summer, there are various festivals and free concerts in Roseburg and other nearby communities.

Requirements: 

The successful candidate will have excellent legal and communication skills; demonstrated commitment to justice for rural low income persons and marginalized communities; and be a member of the Oregon bar.

To Apply: 

Send resume and letter of interest demonstrating the above qualifications either by email or regular mail to:
Joan-Marie Michelsen
Regional Director, LASO
P.O. Box 219
Roseburg, OR 97470
Or:
rosejobs@lasoregon.org

No phone calls, please

Closing Date
February 14, 2020. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Legal Aid Services of Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diverse applicants are encouraged to apply.

Information

Submission Deadline: 
February 14, 2020
Organization Information: 
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
520 SW 6th Ave, Suite 1130
Portland, OR 97204
United States