The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic of Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) seeks clerks and/or externs for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Background
LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program that is committed to advocacy strategies having the broadest possible impact on client community problems. LASO is actively working to build an inclusive organizational culture that centers on racial equity. LASO is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a welcoming and culturally responsive environment for our staff and clients.
Positions
LASO is seeking law clerks for the 2023-2024 academic year. Statewide Tax Clinic clerkships are available in Portland. LASO also offers the following additional clerkship opportunities: Farmworker Program clerkships are available in Woodburn and Hillsboro. General clerkship positions are available in our regional offices in Albany, Portland, and Roseburg. For the full Farmworker Program and General clerkship descriptions, please visit LASO’s employment page: https://lasoregon.org/employment/.
The typical work schedule is based on a 35-hour work week, Monday through Friday 9:00-5:00 with a one-hour lunch break. Work location can be in-office or could be partially remote. Extended remote and flexible work schedules may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Type of Legal Work
LASO’s Statewide Tax Clinic seeks to alleviate poverty through the use of the tax code; working to address the disproportionate outcomes taxpayers with limited English proficiency and other BIPOC taxpayers face in the “neutral” administration of the tax code. It does this by helping Oregonians across the state resolve disputes with the IRS and related Department of Revenue matters, including settling tax debt through the Offer in Compromise process; installment agreements or hardship requests; representation in tax audits and in U.S. Tax Court; help with worker classification issues; and assistance in applying for innocent or injured spouse relief.
Funding
2023 funding details have not yet been finalized. Law clerks will be paid at least $600/week. LASO will also coordinate with fellowship programs. Check back for updated funding details.
Closing Date
Positions open until filled. Review of resumes for Summer term to begin on January 17, 2023. The Tax Clinic also places law students throughout the year and post-graduation.
We celebrate diversity
LASO is committed to being an organization that reflects the communities we serve and is diverse in race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental and physical abilities, work background, experience and education. We believe that the outcome of such diversity is our greatest strength and a matter of basic human fairness. It is to this end that we strongly encourage applications from people of color and people from any other underrepresented and historically marginalized group to apply for this position.
Class standing of 1L or above at time of application. Previous experience in tax or familiarity of the tax code is not necessary. Must demonstrate understanding and commitment to anti-bias principles, cultural knowledge, cultural humility, and addressing systemic racism and other forms of oppression. Must demonstrate interest in and commitment to advocacy for low-income communities and other vulnerable populations. Because we focus on helping taxpayers with Limited English Proficiency, the Tax Clinic has a hiring preference for bilingual candidates who speak English and Spanish or another language.
Applicants are encouraged to apply through the Northwest Public Service Career: https://law.lclark.edu/nwconsortium/nw-public-service-career-fair/. Materials are due there by January 16, 2023, at noon. LASO will be conducting virtual interviews at the Seattle Fair on February 3, 2023, and at the Portland Fair on February 4, 2023.
Please include your response to the supplemental question (below) in your materials and also clearly identify which position(s) and office(s) you are applying for: General- Albany, Portland, Roseburg; Farmworker- Woodburn, Hillsboro; and/or Statewide Tax Clinic - Portland. Please note if you are bilingual in Spanish and/or another language and describe your level of competency. Please, also, indicate if you are interested in a post-graduate fellowship.
Alternatively, please send your resume, letter of interest, and supplemental question response to: Erin White, Grants and Project Coordinator, at [email protected].
For an up-to-date list of positions, please visit LASO’s employment page: https://lasoregon.org/employment/.
Supplemental question
Please provide a written response to the following question and submit it as part of your application materials. Limit response to 500 words.
LASO is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. It is essential to our mission that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace environment in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to: (1) serve our diverse client communities effectively, (2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own, (3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients face, and (4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice? Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences in your response.
If you require reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application/hiring process, please contact Meghan Collins, Director of Administration, at [email protected].
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