Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. is seeking one full-time staff attorney to work at our La Crosse Office. This attorney will provide representation to low-income people with a focus in preventing evictions.
LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN
We are a large and vibrant non-profit law firm funded by the federal Legal Services Corporation, the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Victim of Crime Act funding, the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, and many other sources. Each year, we provide free legal aid to about 11,000 – 14,000 low-income persons in Wisconsin’s southern 39 counties with offices in Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, Oshkosh, Green Bay, and La Crosse. In addition, the firm operates a statewide farmworker project and a statewide legal aid to human trafficking victims project. Most of our work is in the areas of housing, public benefits, removing barriers to employment, consumer, family law, and victim rights. Legal Action attorneys specialize in specific areas of law, though they may be called upon to work in multiple areas. They provide high-quality and aggressive representation, maintain a direct service caseload of individual clients, and contribute to the firm’s work to engage in law reform litigation and other impact work.
Most staff in the La Crosse Office have returned to the physical office, but some still work partially remote. A schedule that combines remote work and in office work may be considered upon hire. New hires may receive some training in the physical office and some remote training as well. We require face masks when clients or visitors are in the office regardless of their vaccination status. If all staff in the office is vaccinated, masks are not required while in the office.
Legal Action believes that equal justice under law can only be achieved through the collaboration of a diverse staff. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and people with life experiences or educational backgrounds that add to the firm’s diversity and our capacity to provide high-quality legal aid.
OFFICE LOCATION
The La Crosse office has recently moved to a new office located at 700 North Third Street, Suite 203, La Crosse, WI, 54601. The La Crosse Office staff currently consists of a Managing Attorney, 3 staff attorneys and 1 paralegal. Our La Crosse office serves 10 counties in south central Wisconsin. However, this position will work almost exclusively in La Crosse County.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Action is seeking one full-time attorney to provide legal representation in eviction defense cases. Staff attorneys may be reassigned to other legal practice areas and duties as the staffing needs of the firm change. Responsibilities will include:
• Provide advice and representation primarily in eviction and housing law cases, including but not limited to:
o Representation of clients with a termination notice or eviction from public or subsidized housing (including housing with a section 8 rent assistance voucher).
o Representation of tenants in motions to seal their eviction cases.
o Representation of tenants whose landlords are in foreclosure.
• Representation of clients in appeals.
• Perform all duties associated with such advice and representation as defined by our attorney performance standards.
• Participate in regular case review with the Managing Attorney.
• Stay current with the areas of law that pertain to the low-income community as they change and develop, particularly in the housing law.
• Perform intake duties and, where necessary, make appropriate referrals to other community agencies.
• Actively participate in Legal Action’s Housing Law Priority Committee.
• Identify and help develop impact litigation and advocacy in coordination with the Housing Law Priority Coordinator, the Assistant Director of Litigation, and others.
• Occasionally conduct community education sessions.
• Become familiar with and stay current in understanding community needs.
SALARY
Under our current attorney salary scale, an attorney with 0 – 1 years of experience would receive an annual salary of $45,727 for a 100% full-time position. An attorney with 5 years of experience practicing law would earn a salary of $52,347. An attorney with 10 years of experience would earn a salary of $58,967.
Our 2021-2022 salary administration plan includes a salary increase to take effect June 1, 2022 for all unrepresented attorneys. On June 1, 2022, for example a Tier 1 Attorney with five years of required experience would earn a base salary of $57,500/year. In addition, our 2021-2022 administration plan includes additional pay for those employees who are fluent in Spanish or Hmong and utilize their language skills in performing their work. The details of this language premium are currently being developed.
FRINGE BENEFITS
Legal Action provides a generous fringe benefits package, including employer-paid health and dental insurance for employees, spouse, and eligible dependents. (Some employees are required to contribute to the health insurance premium for their spouse if the spouse has group health insurance provided by their employer.) Legal Action also provides life and long-term disability insurance, a profit-sharing retirement plan, salary deferral options for retirement planning, low-cost employee-paid vision coverage, three weeks of vacation per year, four days of personal leave, a generous sick leave benefit, and four weeks of paid parental leave for eligible employees.
MOVING EXPENSES
Relocation expenses may be available for reimbursement. Amount to be determined.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position involves sedentary work, sitting at a desk on a computer for an extended period, exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular basis to lift, carry, push or otherwise move objects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and/or laptop keyboard and to use a telephone. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision of a computer screen. This position involves driving a motor vehicle while seated occasionally. It may also include driving a motor vehicle while seated for extended periods. This position requires occasional reaching, bending, kneeling, and stooping to retrieve various items and materials.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
This position is subject to a probationary period of up to one year.
SUPERVISION
This position is supervised by the Managing Attorney of the La Crosse Office.
• Juris Doctorate Degree;
• Admission to the Wisconsin Bar;
• Enthusiasm for civil legal aid and equal justice and for service to our clients and commitment to providing the highest quality legal services;
• Ability to understand our clients’ situation and problem-solve to find realistic solutions to civil legal problems;
• Prior work within civil legal services, with volunteers, producing training events, or other relevant experience is desired though not required: Recent graduates or May 2022 graduates may be considered for this position;
• Strong communication skills;
• Enthusiasm for arguing motions and representing clients at trial and/or in administrative hearings;
• Ability to prioritize and organize resources while maintaining quality and attention to detail;
• Self-motivation, diligence, and ability to manage a large and robust caseload and to meet strict deadlines while under pressure;
• Ability to travel throughout Legal Action’s service area to meet with clients and to attend court and administrative hearings in-person when necessary;
• Cultural competence and respect for differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances;
• Willingness to receive direction and supervision and to implement feedback;
• Ability to work harmoniously and cooperatively with others;
• Comfort with using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.) and an electronic database.
Applicants must submit the following application materials via Legal Action of Wisconsin’s online applicant portal: https://secure.entertimeonline.com/ta/7988.careers?ApplyToJob=419607746
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Legal writing sample
• Names and contact information for three professional references (current LAW staff members are not required to include references)
• Law school transcript (only required for applicants who graduated 2018 or later)
Please submit and upload all the documents required. If required documents are not submitted, your application will be considered incomplete and we will not be able to consider you for this position.
Amanda Schamens, the La Crosse Office Managing Attorney, is the hiring manager for this position and will interview applicants virtually.
Deadline for Applications:
These positions will be open until filled. For early consideration, we encourage applicants to apply by Monday, February 28, 2022.
Legal Action has a COVID-19 vaccine policy. New hires may be required to provide proof of completion of the COVID-19 vaccination(s) and booster, within 28 days of their first day of employment. Legal Action will grant religious or medical exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Religious or medical exemption and accommodation request must be submitted and approved within 28 days of the new hires’ first day of employment. Legal Action also allows staff to request a flex policy that allows for partial remote work and/or different hours worked in a week.