Attorney for Students - Student Life

West Virginia University•West Virginia, WV

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Student Legal Services is housed in the WVU Division of Student Life. This Attorney for Students position reports directly to the Dean of Students. This position advises and counsels students concerning their legal problems and informs them of their legal rights and responsibilities through confidential meetings, publications and seminars; represents students in court regarding civil matters as required and provides student mediation services and mediation training.

Requirements

J.D. from an accredited ABA law school.
Must be licensed and able to practice law in the State of West Virginia.
A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience, to include experience in the area of Civil Law
Any equivalent combination of related education/or experience will be considered
All qualifications must be met by the time of employment
Working knowledge of the laws of West Virginia
Strong organizational skills
Strong planning an project management skills
Ability to organize and apply legal principles
Ability to work with and on the behalf of students within the established guidelines and policies of the Student Legal Services Office, the Office of Student Life and West Virginia University
Ability to work on complex and confidential issues utilizing judgment, tact, and resourcefulness
Ability to adhere to attorney-client privilege
Ability to communicate well with people and be able to comprehend abstract fact situations
Ability to set priorities and establish necessary deadlines
Ability to deal with complicated human and legal issues face to face and also by correspondence
Attorney must be able to prepare detailed and technically sound legal documents
Attorney must be able to negotiate settlements on behalf of student clients
Ability to effectively supervisor law student interns
Ability to attend pre-scheduled court hearings as needed, some of which may fall outside of normal working hours
Ability to successfully acquire 24 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) every two years.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Magistrate Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court procedures, is preferred
Experience in mediation and mediation training is preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of mediation and mediation training is preferred

Responsibilities

Provides legal representation to eligible WVU students regarding their rights, responsibilities, and legal obligations.
Advises and represents students in civil disputes including, but not limited to: landlord/tenant, insurance claims, family law, debt collection, employment disputes, expungement of criminal records, and other general civil law matters.
Drafts legal documents for students free of charge, which may include, but are not limited to, wills, power of attorneys, living wills, promissory notes, contracts, waiver of liability, etc.
With respect to Landlord/Tennant matters, may represent students in matters such as the following: Wrongful Occupation, Eviction, Non-return of Security Deposit, Condemnation, Over Occupancy and other Habitability issues, Lease Violations and Lease Release, etc.
Gives advice only in all criminal matters.
Provides legal guidance and educational support to registered student organizations regarding civil legal matters affecting organizational operations and activities, including liability exposure, risk management, insurance considerations, organizational structure and governance, contracts, and event-related legal concerns.
Assists with the Student Mediation Program. The goal of the Student Mediation Program shall be to provide West Virginia University students with the highest quality of mediation services at no cost.
Supervises law student interns as they work and acct on behalf of student clients.
Assists student clients in document preparation for pro se representation and advise students on general procedures in Magistrate Court in pro se representation.
Attempts settlement in civil litigation disputes on behalf of student clients prior to litigation.
Assists supervisor in preparing and presenting educational programming and publications on legal matters of interest and concern to WVU students.
Advises and assists Student Life staff, when requested, on matters pertaining to the University Committee on Student Rights and Responsibilities in legal matters involving students and in interpreting the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.
Serves on various University-related committees, as required and performs other miscellaneous job duties and responsibilities as needed.