Staff Attorney - Volunteer Lawyer Program

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

STAFF ATTORNEY

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. (SALA) provides free, civil legal services to low-income Arizonans across nine counties and 11 Native American communities within a footprint of approximately 33,000 square miles.

PRINCIPAL FUNCTION :

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. ( SALA ) is accepting applications for a full-time staff attorney. The attorney will work with the Volunteer Lawyers Program ( VLP ).

The VLP recruits the private bar to provide pro bono legal services to indigent clients in the areas of family, consumer, housing, Title 14 minor guardianship, bankruptcy, government benefits, wills and employment law.

LICENSURE / CERTIFICATIONS :

Member of the State Bar of Arizona or Arizona Supreme Court Rule 38(d) eligible.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Applicants should have one-three years’ experience practicing law.
• Applicants must be proficient with Microsoft Office programs, email software and Internet browsers.
• Applicants must speak and write in a clear and articulate manner.
• Applicants must exhibit a high degree of sensitivity and awareness of the problems and issues related to the low income community.

They should have initiative, excellent communication skills and the ability to work well in a multi- cultural setting.

Spanish-language skills helpful.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Coordinate rural clinics in the following counties : Pinal, Navajo / Apache, Cochise, and Santa Cruz when Volunteers are available.

Work with staff in satellite offices to schedule Volunteer Lawyers, to set up video conferencing when necessary, and to ensure that paperwork and forms are provided and completed.

• Oversee the development or improvement of pro per legal packets, and development or improvement of legal information available to the community in-person or on the internet.
• After being trained, provide support to Volunteer Lawyers in legal research, in the giving of advice or in drafting of legal motions or pleadings.

This may include advising, and sometimes representing, low income individuals on family, consumer, probate, landlord / tenant and / or bankruptcy matters.

Assist Director with VLP training and recruitment, as appropriate.

• Assist Director and VLP staff in opening, maintaining, and closing client files. Will be responsible for checking on the status of directly referred pro bono cases with Volunteer Lawyers every six months, sending retainers and letters to VLPs and clients, and tracking VLP hours.
• Assist Director in coordinating and supervising law student volunteer opportunities including follow-up clinics, court projects and hearings, and drafting projects.

May include court appearances. Organize and carry out recognition of law student volunteers and organize annual spring recognition event, as appropriate.

Liaise with law school faculty, staff, and law student coordinators - serve as contact person for law students.

• Along with staff, assist with annual VLP luncheon in the fall.
• Assist Director with grant reporting when needed.
• Subject to funding, attend annual Equal Justice Conference in May.
• Other duties as assigned by VLP Director, the Deputy Executive Director, or Executive Director.

JOB LOCATON / SCHEDULE :

Tucson, Arizona - Full-time - exempt

COMPENSATION :

Salary range $50,050 - $86,962 DOE; up to 5% additional compensation available to individuals fluent in a language other than English that is used by more than 10% of SALA’s eligible client population.

SALA has an excellent benefits package, including health insurance, pension plan, and generous leave provisions.

EOE : SALA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

CONTACT : Hiring Committee

Hiring Committee

Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.

Continental Building

2343 E Broadway Blvd, Suite 200

Tucson AZ 85719-6007

520) 623-9465 / Fax : (520) 594-6554

email : [email protected]

DEADLINE : Open Until Filled. Please submit : cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references