Staff Attorney (Regional Homeownership)

SUMMARY

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (“LASP”) seeks an attorney to provide civil legal services in housing-related matters, with a special focus on foreclosure prevention.  LASP serves low-income individuals and families in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.  This is a full-time regional position which may be based in Norristown (Montgomery County) or Chester city (Delaware County) and candidates must have the flexibility to handle assignments throughout LASP’s service area as the need arises.  Although financial support for this position is reassessed each year by the funder, LASP’s Executive and Development teams regularly pursue new funding opportunities, and every effort will be made to extend the position for as long as possible.  Currently, LASP staff schedules include a combination of remote and in-office work, with modifications made depending upon the current state of the pandemic.  The salary will be commensurate with experience and LASP’s personnel policy.  Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required, and COVID protocols are in place.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

1. Interviewing clients, assisting in determining eligibility for services, and ascertaining and investigating facts.  As this position is focused on foreclosure prevention, extensive review of mortgage documents will be expected as well as analysis of personal finances and budgeting;

2. Conducting legal research and interpreting statutes, case law, regulations, and other sources of law;

3. Providing advice and counsel to clients;

4. Preparing legal documents, including but not necessarily limited to: briefs, pleadings, motions, notices, correspondence, memoranda, discovery and documents responsive to discovery requests;

5. Developing strategy and arguments for presentation of cases and assisting in preparation of witnesses for hearings and trials;

6. Representing clients in trial and appellate courts and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies.  Foreclosure advocacy may also require participation in court-based diversion and conciliation programs and negotiation;

7. Reviewing decisions and consulting with LASP’s management team to determine merit of potential appeals;

8. Participating in external professional and community organizations relevant to casework;

9. Conducting outreach, clinics, community education, and workshops;

10. Becoming engaged in LASP team efforts to achieve office and program goals, including participation in program-wide affinity groups and task forces;

11. Developing knowledge of community referral resources and assessing community and client needs;

12. Enhancing skills and substantive knowledge through training, CLE, and other educational opportunities;

13. Abiding by all applicable professional standards of ethics and practice;

14. Completing administrative tasks including entering of notes and timekeeping in LASP case management software, and maintaining of physical files;

15. Ensuring that requirements of grants and contracts which may provide funding for the position are followed, and assisting with grant reports;

16. Performing other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.

SUPERVISOR:  Regional Housing Unit Supervising Attorney.

LASP is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in the recruitment, selection, or advancement of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information or on any other basis prohibited by law.

Visit our Careers webpage:  lasp.org/careers