Staff Attorney (Community Engagement)
Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) is part of the Ohio State Legal Services Association (OSLSA), a three-part legal aid program headquartered in Columbus. OSLSA’s mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to combat unfairness and injustice and to help people rise out of poverty.
LASC is actively seeking a dedicated, professional Staff Attorney to provide comprehensive legal services for civil issues in pursuit of LASC’s mission and priorities. This attorney will initially focus on our Neighborhood Stabilization Project funded through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation dedicated to meeting the needs of under resourced communities in Columbus.
In this role, you will be responsible for wealth preservation efforts, including estate planning for homeowners, transactional legal assistance for low-income small business owners and nonprofit organization startups, and increasing access to safe, affordable housing. The staff attorney may also collaborate with our economic justice and housing practice groups to support their work on the Neighborhood Stabilization Project.
Are You Someone Who:
- Is dedicated to improving the lives of low-income individuals in our communities?
- Has a demonstrated commitment to making a difference in the lives of indigent people and their communities?
- Appreciates the importance of relationship building and authentic community engagement?
- Takes an Anti-racist approach to advocacy and values diversity of thought?
- Enjoys helping clients triumph over adversity?
- Is motivated, professional and thrives within a collaborative, team-driven environment?
- Believes successful resolution can be reached beyond traditional litigation?
- Is interested in developing a wide range of legal skills and experiences?
You Will:
- Collaborate with community partners to identify issues, trends and other community needs and develop strategies to address those needs within the scope of the project
- Develop and maintain relationships with community groups and participate in outreach activities, clinics and other community events
- Promote and participate in community events including coordinating with the Communications Department, event staff and managing other logistics
- Handle all functions related to legal advocacy ranging from intake to the representation of individual clients, small businesses and non-profit management before local, state, appellate and federal courts, and all relevant agencies
- Participate in a statewide group with other grant recipients and the project funder
- Maintain a caseload that includes both direct service and impact work
- Collaborate with other legal services attorneys on statewide advocacy
- Have the opportunity to participate in excellent ongoing professional development including CLE-approved trainings on substantive poverty law and advocacy skills among others
- Be a part of a community of collaborative and mission driven professionals
You Have:
- Strong legal advocacy skills
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning and organizational skills
- Demonstrated experience in legal services or advocacy on behalf of low-income families, children and/or neighborhoods
- Demonstrated project development and management skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
- High ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion
- High ability to facilitate collaboration as well as build and sustain productive relationships with individuals, groups and organizations
- Excellent communication skills, both orally and written, with diverse audiences
- A commitment to diversity and inclusion both internally and externally
- Strong work ethic
- Proficiency in Microsoft applications, knowledge of current technologies and commitment to remain up to date with industry best practices
- English language proficiency is essential and Spanish/English bilingual skills are a plus. Additional languages – even better
- Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio (or if not currently admitted, expected to obtain admission within 12 months from date of hire) preferred
- Prior Legal Aid or related work experience a plus, but not required
Other Details:
- It is the policy of OSLSA not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, and military status or any other characteristic protected by law. LASC is an equal opportunity employer.
- The position reports to the Director of Pro Bono & Community Engagement, is based in Columbus, Ohio, and requires some travel throughout the service area.
- Salary begins at $53,000 DOE. OSLSA offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package, LRAP of up to $6,000 and ongoing training and development opportunities.
Submit resume, writing sample, references and letter of interest to employment@oslsa.org with Staff Attorney – Community Engagement in the subject line.
In your cover letter, please address the following in order for your application to be considered: OSLSA’s clientele is diverse, and all of our clients are low income. To ensure that our program is best serving our communities, OSLSA strives to promote an evolving set of behaviors and attitudes amongst our staff, as well as policies that enable us to work effectively in all cross-cultural situations, with clients, with our coworkers, and with the community. We see this as a commitment to enhance the provision of our services to all clients; to raise the level of positive client outcomes; and to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.
How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to cultural humility and diversity amongst our staff? Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences.
To promote social justice and best serve our clients, OSLSA is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and providing culturally competent services. We strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups including BIPOC and LGBTQ individuals to apply. Bilingual/bicultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.