Staff Attorney- Housing and Community Economic Development

Overview

Staff Attorney – Housing and Community Economic Development (HCED) at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) is a nonprofit law firm providing comprehensive legal representation in non-criminal matters in western and northwestern Ohio. ABLE, together with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), serves more than 425,000 people living in poverty by delivering legal services, advocacy, and community organizing to promote just and equitable policies.

The HCED Practice Group uses a community lawyering approach to litigation and policy advocacy, supporting neighborhood residents seeking to build healthy, economically vibrant communities and enforcing housing laws for tenants and tenant organizations. The Staff Attorney will work with attorneys, paralegals, community organizers, and social workers to provide direct legal assistance and empower communities to pursue positive change. ABLE's service area covers 32 counties in western Ohio.

This position will implement legal strategies to improve neighborhoods, increase opportunities for healthy housing and economic viability, and expand and protect tenants' rights across ABLE's service area. If you want to use your legal skills to challenge policies and practices that perpetuate poverty and racial injustice, consider applying.

Key Responsibilities (other duties as assigned)

• Engage client communities and address identified legal needs to alleviate poverty and address systemic racism in targeted neighborhoods
• Collaborate and advocate with impacted community members to further issues identified by community leaders, using a community lawyering approach
• Provide high-quality legal assistance to eligible clients through advice, counsel, negotiation, litigation, administrative representation, and community education
• Maintain a good working knowledge of procedures for federal, state, and local courts and administrative agencies
• Develop a strong understanding of substantive laws relevant to assigned practice groups
• Handle a reasonable volume of cases and advocacy projects commensurate with skill and experience
• Actively participate in practice group initiatives to implement Strategic Advocacy Initiatives
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with courts, bar associations, community partners, and other stakeholders
• Assist in resolving complaints and grievances from applicants and clients
• Complete required administrative tasks, including time records and case reports
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Scope & Impact

The Staff Attorney plays a critical role in advancing ABLE's mission by providing legal representation to vulnerable communities, advocating for systemic change, and promoting equal justice and opportunity.

Minimum Requirements

Preferred Requirements

Supervisory Responsibilities

Physical Demands / Work Environment

Compensation, Benefits and Work Location

Annual salary starts at $68,000. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual and sick leave, language compensation, loan repayment assistance for attorneys through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation, and paid parental leave. This position is based out of ABLE's Dayton, Ohio office.

How to Apply

Please visit https : / / www.ablelaw.org / careers-with-able to submit your application. The position will remain open until filled.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview / application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at hrteam@ablelaw.org.

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