Staff Attorneys
Northwestern Legal Services is seeking qualified and diverse applicants for multiple full-time Staff Attorney positions in our Erie, Meadville, and Bradford, PA offices. We are a non-profit organization providing free civil legal services to low-income people living in the 10 northwestern counties of Pennsylvania. Caseloads will include domestic violence, public benefits, family law, housing, and other areas of public interest law. Training will be provided. Travel may be required. Applicants must be admitted or eligible to practice law in PA, or have plans to take or have recently passed the PA bar exam to be considered. Starting salary range for 0-3 years’ experience is currently $43,000-$45,500(+). We offer EXTENSIVE benefits and perks and emphasize a healthy work/home life balance. Potential loan repayment assistance is available for qualifying loans. Employment qualifies for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
The Staff Attorney in the employ of Northwestern Legal Services works directly with the Executive Director and the Managing Attorney. Legal services provided include: advice; individual and group representation; litigation; appellate practice; judicial challenges to particular practices and regulations; development of specialized programs to serve clients who have legal problems in specific areas of civil law; education of the client community concerning the rights of low-income people, education of the larger community concerning the needs and rights of low-income people and legislative and administrative education. Legal Services are not provided in fee-generating cases or in matters in which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has an obligation to furnish counsel to the indigent. Nor are services provided in criminal matters. For more info, please visit our website www.nwls.org.
Job Requirements
1. Interview clients in order to counsel and advise as necessary and determine eligibility.
2. Draft, prepare, and file legal pleadings on behalf of clients as necessary to protect their legal interests.
3. Enter into negotiation with opposing counsel or the opposing party for the purpose of representing the client's interests or to advance the interests of clients.
4. Work with other personnel of the office, assist in preparation of pleadings that might be necessary to challenge particular practices and regulations that are detrimental to the interests of our clientele.
5. Represent the interests of the clients in litigation before judicial or administrative tribunals and legislative or administrative agencies.
6. Supervise paralegals and interns when assigned.
7. Report on travel undertaken on behalf of the program.
8. Report on caseload, the number of cases, the intake, the number of cases closed, and the ongoing caseload. Report problems encountered and action taken or contemplated concerning those particular problems.
9. Participate in meetings with agencies and other groups for the purpose of giving general information on the program.
10. Become thoroughly familiar with directives of Northwestern Legal Services and abide by such directives.
11. Provide community legal education to client-eligible people or groups and organizations.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.
You must email, fax, or mail a detailed cover letter, resume, references, and a brief writing sample to the Administrative Assistant at: ttate@nwls.org.
Administrative Assistant
Northwestern Legal Services
1001 State St., Suite 700
Erie, PA 16501
Fax: (814) 452-8145
No Phone Calls Please
EEO Employer & DEI Committed