The Douglas County office of Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is seeking a full-time attorney to work under a grant that is currently funded through 2025. The position helps to address housing instability and reduce illegal evictions. The attorney will provide residential eviction defense services to low-income tenants primarily in Douglas County, but also in other parts of Oregon. Responsibilities include tenant rights advice, negotiation with adverse parties, and representation in eviction trials in justice and circuit courts. The position may be based in Douglas County or work remotely from within Oregon.
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 focus on services to farmworkers and on issues impacting Native Americans. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program that is committed to advocacy strategies having the broadest possible impact on problems faced by our client community. LASO is actively working to build an inclusive organizational culture that centers on equity. We are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a welcoming and culturally responsive environment for our staff and clients.
Responsibilities
The attorney will handle a caseload of housing clients who have active eviction cases filed in court or have been served residential termination notices. The attorney along with other members of the Eviction Defense Project team also performs regular review of eviction docket filings. The attorney will work with clients using trauma informed principles to address the various needs of clients in culturally appropriate ways regarding the pending or potential eviction. The attorney will regularly appear in eviction court.
Salary/Benefits
Compensation is based on a 35-hour work week. Salary range is $66,200 – 73,700 for 0-5 years’ experience; $75,200 – 81,200 for 6-10 years’ experience and $82,700 - $105,200 for 11-30 years’ experience annually; salaries are determined by relevant work experience and our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Additional compensation of $4,300 to $5,700 is available annually for bilingual ability, depending on proficiency. Full benefits package including individual and family health, vision, and dental insurance coverage; 6% employer retirement contribution; generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave; and paid moving expenses.
Closing Date
Review of resumes is ongoing, open until filled.
Membership in the Oregon State Bar or currently awaiting results of the Oregon State Bar exam is required. Proven interest in and commitment to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income or other marginalized people and a demonstrated understanding and commitment to anti-bias principles, cultural competency, and addressing systemic racism are expected. A successful applicant will demonstrate enthusiasm, good judgment, creativity, communication skills, initiative, and ability to work collaboratively. LASO has a hiring preference for candidates who are bilingual in Spanish and/or another language frequently spoken by the communities we serve.
To apply submit your resume and cover letter to:
Joan Marie Michelsen
Regional Director
[email protected]
We will not review applications that are not emailed directly to the above email address.
As a part of your cover letter, please include your OSB number or status awaiting bar exam results, and address the following:
We committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for all staff and clients. Please explain how your personal background and experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to: 1) serve our diverse low-income client communities; 2) work and communicate effectively with people from backgrounds different from your own; and 3) support a workplace committed to anti-bias principles. Feel free to provide examples, and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, to the extent that you feel comfortable, as you respond to these questions.
If you need any sort of reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application/hiring process, please contact Meghan Collins, Director of Administration, at [email protected].