Managing Attorney - Athens Office

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO)'s mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice, reduce poverty, and increase opportunity.

LASCO is the new name for two long-standing legal aid programs, The Legal Aid Society of Columbus and Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, which merged in January 2024.

The programs have been affiliated for more than a decade, and this legal merger is just the culmination of many years of collaboration and growing efficiencies between our two direct service programs.

LASCO is actively seeking a dedicated, professional Managing Attorney to supervise the office, provide leadership and support to the LASCO Athens Office as well as ensure the team is providing comprehensive legal services for civil issues in pursuit of the organization's mission and priorities.

Managing Attorneys' balance systemic advocacy with practical day-to-day legal representation and staff support.

In collaboration with Senior Management, this role is responsible for providing leadership to attorneys and support staff, identifying and engaging in impact representation (including litigation and other advocacy), litigation planning, strategy, community education, partnering with other community organizations to further the mission of the organization, assisting in identifying and pursuing funding, and collaborating with the leadership team.

Are You Someone Who :

• Is dedicated to improving the lives of low-income individuals in our communities?
• Enjoys creatively helping clients triumph over adversity?
• Takes pride in excellent attention to detail when producing documents and other work?
• Creates processes to increase work efficiencies and systems to work smarter not harder?
• Is motivated, professional and thrives within a collaborative, team-driven environment?
• Believes successful resolution can be reached beyond traditional litigation?
• Is interested in supporting a wide range of legal skills and experiences?
• Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and quality?
• Has expertise in a wide range of litigation and legal experiences?
• Is agile and able to respond effectively to the changing needs of a growing organization?
• Engages in continuous learning?
• Works well within a collaborative, team-driven, and goal-based environment?

You Will :

• Manage and support the work of the Athens Office including attorneys with a wide range of skills and experiences
• In collaboration with the Advocacy Director, lead and support legal advocacy ranging from intake to the representation of clients before local, state, appellate and federal courts, and all relevant agencies
• Develop, implement and participate in active strategic involvement in the local community including legal education, outreach activities, clinics and other community events to positively impact client communities
• Collaborate with other legal services attorneys on statewide advocacy
• Promote community relations and build community relationships by engaging with the public and partner service providers
• Develop and maintain local bar / bench relationships, relationships with local legislators and other community leaders
• Remain current on emerging legal topics and identify relevant trends related to areas of practice and organizational priorities
• Participate in a community of collaborative and mission driven professionals
• Facilitate professional development of attorneys across practice groups
• Lead the Athens Office's meaningful contributions to the organizations' Racial Equity Advocacy Plan
• Co-counsel, when appropriate as well as determine other methods of effectively supporting attorneys' success in and out of the courtroom
• Collaborate across departments to assist with grant applications and reports and for funding sources and government agencies

Requirements

You Have :

• Demonstrated ability to practice within most of the poverty law areas of including consumer, housing, domestic relations, public benefits, unemployment, and re-entry among others
• Familiarity with a broad range of substantive areas of law and knowledge of available resources
• Excellent legal and communications skills with a proven record of performance and achievement
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a wide range of job categories and professionals
• Ability to anticipate needs and navigate problems with a creative, practical approach toward reaching successful resolution
• Ability and willingness to learn and operate technology platforms used for intake, case management and reporting among others
• High ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• High ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion
• Ability to facilitate collaboration as well as build and sustain productive relationships with diverse individuals, groups and organizations
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead, manage and develop a diverse team of professionals
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with diverse audiences
• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion both internally and externally
• Cultural competency in working with low-income communities
• Strong work ethic with an ability to connect big picture ideas to day-to-day work
• Ability to prioritize workload to manage time and tasks and delegate responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, knowledge of current technologies and commitment to remain up to date with industry best practices
• English language proficiency is essential and Spanish / English bilingual skills are a plus. Additional languages - even better
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio (or if not currently admitted, eligible to waive in) required
• Prior Legal Aid or related work experience a plus, but not required

Other Details :

• It is the policy of LASCO not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, and military status or any other characteristic protected by law.
• The position reports to the Executive Director, is based in the Athens, Ohio office and requires regular travel throughout this service area.
• Salary is dependent upon level of experience. LASCO offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package and ongoing training and development opportunities.

To Apply :

Submit resume, references and letter of interest. In your letter, please address the following for your application to be considered :

LASCO 's clientele is diverse, and all of our clients are low income. To ensure that our agency is best serving our communities, LASCO strives to promote an evolving set of behaviors and attitudes amongst our staff, as well as policies that enable us to work effectively in all cross-cultural situations, with clients, with our coworkers, and with the community.

We see this as a commitment to enhance the provision of our services to all clients; to raise the level of positive client outcomes;

and to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to cultural humility and diversity amongst our staff.

Feel free to think broadly about your response to this question, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences.

To promote social justice and best serve our clients, LASCO is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and providing culturally competent services.

We strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups including BIPOC, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals to apply.

Bilingual / bicultural candidates are also strongly encouraged to apply.