Department: Family Centered Legal Solutions (FCLS)
Employment Status: Full-time
Location: Jackson Office
Job Summary:
Family Centered Legal Solutions (FCLS) grant with Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) focuses on low-income Tennessean families and children who are facing legal problems related to basic human needs. The goal of the grant is to provide more access to civil legal services for qualifying families. The Medical Legal Partnership/School Partnership Attorney will work with local medical providers, school districts, and juvenile courts to develop education and referral relationships and meet families where they are. The attorney will focus on providing holistic civil legal services to families with children in the public school system or receiving medical care. As part of a holistic approach, representation may include varying areas of law, administrative advocacy, and litigation in state and federal courts. Case types will include family law, juvenile law, consumer law, health and benefits, access to education, simple estate planning, and other holistic services to stabilize the family unit.
Duties/Responsibilities:
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:
- Provide legal advice and representation in civil legal matters affecting low-income families;
- Build education and referral relationships with local school districts, medical providers, and juvenile courts;
- Maintain office hours, as requested, at medical facilities, schools, and courts;
- Provide outreach and education activities for client population;
- Meet the requirements of the Family-Centered Legal Solutions project;
- Keep contemporaneous time records and maintain case notes in case management system;
- Comply with funder requirements, the Legal Services Corporation requirements, and the American Bar Association’s Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid;
- Interview clients;
- Draft letters, memoranda, and other documents;
- Research, as needed;
- Perform other duties as may reasonably be requested.
Requirements:
Below is the minimum level of education and/or experience needed to successfully accomplish the essential duties of this job. Current licensure in good standing in Tennessee or eligible for reciprocity and willing to secure reciprocity;
- Background check, including references, that is complete and free of concerns;
- General practice experience, including litigation experience, or willingness to participate in appropriate trainings;
- Ability to conduct research and analysis;
- Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions;
- Ability to draft legally sufficient pleadings and other legal documents, including creating concise and persuasive arguments;
- Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations, or administrative proceedings; to give public presentations, conduct trainings, and do client outreach;
- Experience working with or sensitivity to specialized client populations;
- Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals from ethnic or language distinct communities;
- Sufficient computer skills to be able to maintain client records, prepare documents, and maintain contemporaneous time records;
- Ability to competently use company software packages.
- Ability to work independently;
- Demonstrated experience working with the public;
- Excellent analytical, problem solving, computer, and verbal and written communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to handle a demanding workload; and
- Ability to work collaboratively, both within WTLS and with community partners.
The physical requirements of this position include the ability to:
- Stand
- Walk
- Sit
- Use hands to finger, handle, or feel
- Reach with hands and arms
- Climb stairs
- Balance
- Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
- Lift up to 20 pounds
Success Factors:
Below, find a general bulleted list of success factors for a WTLS employee:
- Demonstrate a commitment to the principle of equal justice and to advocacy for low-income persons.
- Treat clients, staff, and the public with dignity and respect.
- Appreciate the experiences and needs of people of diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds.
- Demonstrate a personal sense of empathy and integrity.
- Take ownership of projects and produce solid work products.
- Work as a member of a team and independently including willingness to help others (cooperative) and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience.
- Address issues in a timely manner.
- Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
- Handle and prioritize multiple, competing demands.
Working Conditions:
Below, find a general bulleted list of WTLS’s working conditions:
- Work during office hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A minimum 30-minute break must be taken when at least 6 hours are worked. Work hours must be accurate and contemporaneously recorded. A flextime of work hours may be used, if approved. Your supervisor will consider the needs of the office and the preference of more senior employees before approving flextime. Work after hours or on weekends may be occasionally required.
- Work is performed primarily in an office setting and at outreach sites.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Often communicating with people using the phone, email, via video call, or in person.
- Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.
- Travel within the WTLS service area may be necessary.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Compensation: DOE. The starting salary for newly admitted attorneys is $58,155.00 This position is a full-time position and compensation is made according to the Wage Administration Plan that became effective on August 1, 2007 (as revised on April 22, 2019).
- Benefits: Full-time benefits include the ability to participate in WTLS’ health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, LTD, Life Insurance, 401k retirement plan, paid Annual Leave (based on years of employment), paid Sick Leave (12 days per year), paid Holidays (11), and paid week off between Christmas and New Year.
HOW TO APPLY: Send applications via email in Word or PDF format to hiring@wtls.org. Applicants must include a resume, writing sample, and three references with phone numbers. Applications will be accepted, and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. No inquires accepted. Only applicants scheduled for interviews will be notified.
WTLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.