Staff Attorney (Pro Bono Program)

Working collaboratively with Maine’s other legal aid programs, Pine Tree is committed to a robust pro bono program designed to expand access to justice for low-income Maine residents. To achieve this goal, it offers a menu of pro bono opportunities designed to appeal to Maine attorneys and law students and which are aligned with its core legal services and key client populations. Pine Tree has an immediate opening for a licensed Maine attorney to join its three-person statewide Pro Bono Unit, based in its Portland field office. The position has been funded through September 2021 by the Legal Services Corporation and renewal funding for the position will be sought.

The pro bono staff attorney is primarily responsible for the oversight of private attorneys that agree to take on full representation and advice only cases on behalf of Pine Tree. The attorney will work closely with other members of the Pro Bono Unit to develop projects that integrate private attorney involvement into PTLA’s priority areas of practice by coordinating and delivering training to volunteers, and supervising their work in court and at legal clinics. Additionally, the attorney will be expected to carry a caseload of their own, especially as relates to ongoing clinic coverage for which volunteers are unavailable. Pine Tree is projected to close approximately 150 pro bono cases in 2019 and anticipates that number will grow to over 300+ full representation cases in 2020 and additional advice only cases. This position requires experience and skill in litigation, training and volunteer supervision and an ability to quickly develop comprehensive knowledge of various substantive areas of law and provide training and support to volunteers in those areas. While the position is based in Portland, where there is the highest volume of private attorneys, the attorney should expect to be in several courts in southern Maine and other clinic locations throughout the state on a regular basis to supervise a high volume of pro bono cases. The pro bono staff attorney must also work effectively with colleagues throughout Pine Tree as well as external partners and volunteers, and be responsive to grant and caseload expectations for the office. In addition, the pro bono staff attorney shares responsibility with colleagues and Central staff for community outreach, development of client education materials and other program resources, and support of external activities that contribute to Pine Tree’s local reputation for excellent legal work and success in developing new funding partnerships. Specific decisions about how to prioritize between these time commitments are made in consultation with other colleagues and the attorney supervisor. All work must be carefully managed and documented to meet funder expectations and must be delivered in a timely manner. The attorney is expected to be a valued contributor and supportive colleague to other members of the office and to the program as a whole, consistent with Pine Tree’s core values. The complete job description for this position is available upon request. Applicants must be eligible to practice law in Maine, with previous litigation experience.

Pay and Benefits at PTLA

The salary range for PTLA attorneys in 2020 is $52,750 -$89,750, depending on experience. The starting range for paralegals in 2020 is $38,750 - $60,750, depending on experience. Both attorneys and paralegals are eligible for a very generous benefit and leave package. Pine Tree staff attorneys are eligible to participate in a LRAP program administered by the Maine Justice Foundation in addition to other loan forgiveness programs for which they may be eligible, including the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.