Staff Attorney (Housing Justice Project)

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION  

The Housing Justice Project Staff Attorney provides effective and efficient representation of clients on housing issues.  These responsibilities are associated with work done under Legal Aid’s housing priority and housing legal program advocacy plan. This work may include legal issues in the following areas: landlord/tenant; access to housing; longer-term housing recovery issues associated with affordability, ownership, and resiliency; housing benefits; and community and housing redevelopment options. This work will include addressing barriers to community housing development efforts, and helping low-income Nebraskans participate in development of more rehabilitated and new low-income housing. This work is done in coordination with and as part of the Housing Justice Project team of Legal Aid attorneys across Nebraska, providing a full range of legal services.   

Training on specific legal issues will be provided.  

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES  

Handles a case load: evaluates potential cases to determine acceptance and extent of representation; identifies and gathers other information to assist in determining case acceptance; formulates legal opinions and recommendations based on investigation, interviews and legal research; represents clients in all aspects of their cases, including, but not limited to preparation of pleadings, research, discovery, negotiations, settlement, litigation and appeal, if appropriate and approved; educates clients regarding their legal options and the consequences of each, as well as processes and procedures involved in representing the clients' interests.  

Assists in community outreach efforts.  

Follows the procedures laid out in LAN's Advocates' Manual.  

Maintains knowledge of the current developments in the various substantive areas of law as they affect LAN's clients and the client community, in which the individual Staff Attorney practices.  

Correctly applies and complies with LAN policies, procedures and mission statement and assists in implementing firm goals.  

Complies with LSC Regulations and record keeping in all the cases the individual Staff Attorney handles and activities in which the individual Staff Attorney is involved.  

Performs such other duties as are assigned by Supervising Attorney or management. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS  

Required Education:  

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.  

Required Licenses:  

Licensed to practice law in the State of Nebraska and member in good standing in Nebraska Bar Association.   

Desired Abilities & Qualifications:   

Ability to communicate in a language other than English spoken by significant numbers of clients.  

Relevant experience in poverty law, with a legal aid program, or serving the client community in a way related to legal services.