Northwestern Legal Services is seeking qualified applicants for several full-time Staff Attorney positions in several of our northwestern PA offices. The caseload includes public benefits, family law, housing, and other areas of poverty law. Travel is required. Must be admitted to practice law in PA or be awaiting PA bar exam results.
The Staff Attorney in the employ of Northwestern Legal Services works directly with the Executive Director and the Managing Attorney. The goal of Northwestern Legal Services is to provide eligible persons, or groups of persons, with legal services. Legal services include: advice; individual and group representation; litigation; appellate practice; judicial challenge 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 advocacy. 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.
Liberal benefits. Possible loan repayment assistance; 10 years of non-profit employment with timely loan payment qualifies for the federal Public Interest School Loan Forgiveness program.
1. Degree from an accredited law school.
2. Membership in the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the ability to practice under Rule 311 of the Bar Admission rules.
3. Ability to relate to poverty and community groups as well as other staff.
4. Prior relevant legal experience is preferred.
5. Ability to analyze and apply legal principles to practical problems.
6. Knowledge and understanding of the problems and needs of the poor.
7. Prior working experience in the client community or programs to aid the poor is preferred.
8. Ability to communicate in a language other than English which is spoken by a significant segment of the client community is a plus.
9. Cultural similarity with the client community is preferred.
10. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Please send a detailed cover letter, resume, references, and a writing sample to:
Administrative Assistant
Northwestern Legal Services
1001 State St., Suite 700
Erie, PA 16501
Or email requested documents to: [email protected]
For further information on our organization, please visit www.nwls.org.
No Phone Calls Please