Staff Attorney (Disaster Legal Assistance)
We are seeking a Staff Attorney to provide disaster legal services related to the 2023 wildfires on Maui Island. The Staff Attorney will work with a newly formed Disaster Legal Services Unit, which may include a non-attorney coordinator, paralegal, and intake staff. The Staff Attorney will also work with other Legal Aid staff, volunteers, and contractors to provide disaster legal services.
Primary duties are to provide legal services to wildfire survivors, including, but not limited to, assistance with client representation in the following areas:
● Landlord tenant problems,
● Mortgage and homeownership issues.
● FEMA, SBA, and other public assistance financial benefits, including SNAP and Unemployment
● Home repair contracts and property insurance claims
● Price gouging, scams, or identity theft
● Disability-related access to federal, state, and local disaster programs
● Vital documents replacement.
The Staff Attorney will also participate in community engagement and partnership building, staffing “Disaster Recovery Centers” and community hubs, development of self-help materials, outreach and education, and day–to–day oversight of non-attorney staff. Staff attorneys may also assist in supervising law students and pro bono volunteers.
The Staff Attorney will also assist the Executive Director and Deputy Director in implementing the legal services component of the existing statewide disaster preparedness/response plan which includes coordination with key national and local partners; provide outreach and training to key stakeholders about legal services to disaster victims; and oversee recruitment and training of statewide pro bono attorneys who can assist low-income and disadvantaged individuals in the event of a disaster. This position must be performed from the State of Hawai‘i.
Benefits include:
- $150/month student loan repayment.
- Two medical insurance providers offering 4 different plans to select from and free single coverage.
- Dental insurance.
- 401K plan with employer matching.
- Life Insurance for employees and dependents.
- Free long-term care and long-term disability insurance.
- Parental leave plan after one year of employment with 8 weeks of fully paid leave.
- Free employee assistance plan - up to 6 sessions per year also available for household members.
- Paid time off includes 21 days of vacation, 12 sick days, one personal day and 14 paid holidays annually (15 during Election Year).
This position is currently a hybrid of remote and in-office work based on a weekly rotation schedule. Hybrid working condition is subject to change
- Member in good standing of Hawaiʻi State Bar Association preferred. Applications from highly qualified individuals who have taken the July 2023 bar exam, as well as attorneys licensed to practice in another state and eligible to practice in Hawaii under Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct rule 1.16 will also be considered.
- Demonstrable commitment to social justice or experience working with disadvantaged and/or low-income populations, or issues affecting low-income populations required.
- Experience in Disaster Legal Services is a plus, but not required.
- Community ties to Maui highly preferred.
- Project management and coordination preferred.
- Project management or experience implementing grants preferred.
- Must be able to work collaboratively and maintain good working relationships with a small
- diverse team.
- Humility in working with colleagues and clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency, a must.
- Able to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and perform multiple tasks with attention to detail.
- Able to travel interisland frequently.
- Able to work under pressure in an empathetic and professional manner.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to jobs@legalaidhawaii.org.
This job posting does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The position requirements, duties, and offered benefits are subject to change.
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Employer. More information about Legal Aid can be found at www.legalaidhawaii.org