POSITION: Staff Attorney – Consumer Law
Work remotely 3 days a week!
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc. (SMRLS) is seeking to fill a consumer law attorney position in the Metro Region. The position is based in the Saint Paul office. The attorney will handle contested consumer law matters and bankruptcies.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Staff attorneys will focus on helping low-income clients achieve and maintain economic self-sufficiency by working to address the unmet need for legal representation for debtors, addressing systemic issues such as fines and fees that disproportionately burden low-income individuals, protection of exempt debtors against garnishments, filing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies in an effort to avoid loss of housing, student loan discharges due to permanent disability, as well as initiating litigation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and other consumer protection statutes. The attorney must be willing to maintain a caseload in compliance with SMRLS’ written practice standards and observe SMRLS’ policies, practices, and guiding principles in furtherance of SMRLS’ mission. Community education, outreach, intake responsibilities and active bar participation are also required activities. Willingness to accept supervision and other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Must be either licensed to practice law in Minnesota and the Federal District of Minnesota or be a candidate for Minnesota State Bar admission and Federal District of Minnesota bar admission. Candidates with a minimum of at least 2 years consumer law, consumer bankruptcy, or litigation experience are preferred. Non-academic experience working in low-income communities, or other activities that demonstrate an interest in working with low-income clients, will be given great weight. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with low-income clients, victims of domestic abuse, and persons of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds is essential.
Excellent communication skills, ability to work positively and constructively with others in a teamwork setting, good judgment, and the ability to work hard, independently, efficiently and under pressure is necessary. Applicants must be flexible and willing to take on additional duties as assigned by SMRLS. Must be willing and able to travel to court proceedings, outreach/education activities, and other SMRLS-required events throughout SMRLS’ service area. Computer competence is necessary.
SMRLS’ MISSION:
SMRLS is a non-profit law firm which receives federal, state, local, public, and private funding to provide free legal help to low-income and elderly people who reside in 33 counties of southern Minnesota. As Minnesota’s oldest legal aid program (founded in 1909), SMRLS has established a tradition of partnering with the private bar, a bi-partisan legislature, the Minnesota Supreme Court, and other Minnesota Legal Services Coalition programs to provide access to justice. SMRLS has an experienced, dynamic staff and volunteer attorneys which provide legal assistance to over 200,000 eligible persons.
SMRLS is a client-centered organization which is committed to its mission of providing a full range of high quality legal services, in a respectful manner, which enables clients to enforce their legal rights, maintain freedom from hunger, homelessness, sickness and abuse; and empower persons and ensure equal opportunity, thus helping persons to help themselves and become economically self-reliant, to the extent their individual ability and circumstances permit. SMRLS values, welcomes, and promotes diversity in all aspects of its work. SMRLS has adopted practice standards, guiding principles, and racial justice policies to accomplish its mission.
SALARY:
Starting at $74,083+ Pursuant to scale, plus fringe benefits.
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Position is open until filled.
Please submit a cover letter, resume and three references to:
John Joachim
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
55 East Fifth Street, Suite 800
Saint Paul, MN 55101-1473
SMRLS is committed to diversity in the workplace. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Must be either licensed to practice law in Minnesota and the Federal District of Minnesota or be a candidate for Minnesota State Bar admission and Federal District of Minnesota bar admission. Candidates with a minimum of at least 2 years consumer law, consumer bankruptcy, or litigation experience are preferred. Non-academic experience working in low-income communities, or other activities that demonstrate an interest in working with low-income clients, will be given great weight. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with low-income clients, victims of domestic abuse, and persons of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds is essential.
Excellent communication skills, ability to work positively and constructively with others in a teamwork setting, good judgment, and the ability to work hard, independently, efficiently and under pressure is necessary. Applicants must be flexible and willing to take on additional duties as assigned by SMRLS. Must be willing and able to travel to court proceedings, outreach/education activities, and other SMRLS-required events throughout SMRLS’ service area. Computer competence is necessary.
Please submit a cover letter, resume and three references to:
John Joachim
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
55 East Fifth Street, Suite 800
Saint Paul, MN 55101-1473