Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance (MMLA) is seeking a staff attorney for a full-time position with the Government Benefits unit (Benefits unit) based in its Minneapolis Office. This position allows for a hybrid work environment and will start as soon as possible after an offer is extended.
As an equal opportunity employer, MMLA is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply. We welcome information about how your experience can contribute to serving our diverse client communities. Applicants are encouraged to share in their cover letter how they can further our goal of equal justice for all. We are committed to a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace.
BACKGROUND: MMLA’s mission is to advocate for the legal rights of disadvantaged people to have safe, healthy, and independent lives in their communities. MMLA provides civil legal representation to clients with low incomes and seniors in 21 counties in central Minnesota, and to people with disabilities throughout the state. MMLA’s Minneapolis office, where this position will be located, primarily serves clients who reside in Hennepin and Anoka Counties. MMLA receives funding from a variety of public and private sources and enjoys strong support from the organized bar. The Benefits unit represents clients in a full range of public benefits, including MFIP, GA, SNAP, MSA, Unemployment, Medical Assistance, and SSI. The Benefits unit works closely with other units within MMLA to provide holistic legal services.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Apply the principles of MMLA’s Racial Justice Values Statement in all interactions.
• Provide full representation to individuals in administrative law hearings including DHS fair hearings, DEED UI hearings, and before Social Security Administration administrative law judges (ALJs). Licensed staff attorneys appear in state and federal district court as necessary.
• Full representation includes interviewing and advising clients; gathering, reviewing and filing evidence in administrative hearings; providing representation at administrative hearings; writing and filing legal memoranda and briefs as necessary.
• Conduct outreach to community and organizations within our service area on know your rights topics, our legal services, or other public benefits related topics, including drafting written materials and making oral presentations.
• Assist Benefits unit supervisor in grant proposals, reports, and data maintenance.
• Maintain a docket of benefits cases, analyze each case and resolve legal issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain case and client information in compliance with MMLA protocols, grant requirements, and ethical obligations.
SALARY: $70,000 to $85,489 per year, depending on experience, plus benefits. Benefits include family medical and dental insurance, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with employer match, FSA, employee assistance programs, and generous paid time off.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
• Must be licensed to practice law in the state of Minnesota, eligible for admission by reciprocity, or registered to take the July bar exam.
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the needs of low-income/vulnerable clients.
• Demonstrated interest and ability to represent clients living with disabilities.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Diverse economic, social, and cultural experiences.
• Language proficiency in Spanish, Somali, Hmong.
• At least 2 years of public benefits law experience.
• Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Legal training, knowledge of community resources, and experience with case management software.
• Efficient, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task demanding workload.
APPLICATIONS: Submit cover letter and resume via email at [email protected] by August 15, 2023.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in our employee selection process, please contact Ann Cofell at [email protected].