The Staff Attorney will provide civil legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and harassment in Beaverhead County and Madison County. Based at the Community Support Center in Dillon, MT, services provided will range from brief counsel and advice, to more extended representation. Requires travel within Montana, including monthly travel to Sheridan, Montana. In addition, this position will provide poverty law services throughout Montana as workload allows. This position is funded until December 31, 2022 with the possibility of extending if funding is available.
This position will handle all aspects of legal representation including client contact, pleading preparation, research, file maintenance, and hearing and trial work. The staff attorney will also participate in MLSA's statewide initiatives, implement grant and contract requirements through casework and foster pro bono involvement with the private bar.
- Interview, meet with, advise and represent eligible clients on civil matters.
- Compose correspondence, pleadings and other documents.
- Develop law related educational programs and materials directed to the client community or agencies regarding legal rights and responsibilities.
- Research the law and prepare memoranda.
- Handle all aspects of a client's legal matter, including preparing pleadings, negotiation, mediation and trial work.
- Work with other MLSA staff to recruit, train and support pro bono attorneys when appropriate.
- Develop and maintain specialized knowledge of issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and harassment and of general poverty law issues.
- Participate in MLSA statewide initiatives and impact work.
- Other duties as assigned by the Supervising Attorney.
- Law Degree and current license to practice law in Montana.
- Prior legal services experience or prior experience working with low income clients, preferred.
- Prior experience with domestic violence issues, preferred.
- Prior experience working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, preferred.
- An understanding of the legal needs of survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and harassment, including the unique needs of populations that experience particular barriers to access to justice systems.
- Knowledge of substantive legal areas affecting survivors, including, but not limited to, Orders of Protection, dissolutions, parenting plans, and other family law matters.
- Ability to effectively communicate, to motivate others, and to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people with varying perspectives, experience and expertise.
- Ability and willingness to learn and integrate new technologies and methodologies to efficiently perform responsibilities.
- A willingness to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, the public, judges, court personnel, project partners and the bar.
- Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially within a decentralized statewide law firm.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently in a deadline-oriented environment.
- A "can do" attitude and a willingness to pitch in where needed.
- Strong commitment to insuring equal access to justice.
- Proficient at the use of technology, including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, internet-based programs and computer-based legal research.
- Ability to travel, occasionally overnight
$50,000 per year and up, DOE. MLSA offers an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement and educational loan repayment assistance.
Apply by visiting https://montanalegalservices.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=38 or by emailing resume, cover letter, references and writing sample to [email protected].
MLSA is an equal opportunity employer and we consider the diversity of our staff to be vital to our organization's success. We strongly encourage and welcome people of all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities to apply.