Community Clinics Housing Justice Fellow

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) seeks an attorney for a one-year, grant-funded Housing Justice Fellowship representing low-income tenants and advancing housing justice. The role provides litigation experience, mentorship, on-the-job training, and professional development. It is full-time and exempt, with a one-year term. The Fellow works fully in the office during training and then follows a hybrid schedule combining in-office and remote work. The position is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and requires travel throughout the service area as needed. The fellowship is supported by a dedicated bridge grant. MMLA has applied for a separate two-year grant-funded position that, if secured, would begin in late summer 2027. The Fellow may apply through MMLA’s standard competitive hiring process; completing this fellowship does not guarantee continued employment. The Fellow manages a caseload involving landlord-tenant and homeownership law, represents clients in negotiations, administrative proceedings, and civil cases, and performs litigation work through trial. The role also involves clinic staffing, community outreach, collaboration with MMLA colleagues and community partners, and support for tenant organizing and heirs’ property work. The successful candidate demonstrates commitment to serving vulnerable and lower-income community members, high-quality legal representation, racial justice, and ethical practice. Compensation is $79,000–$88,727, plus benefits. Salary is determined by directly related experience under the organization’s salary matrix. For client-facing roles, certified fluency in a relevant non-English language or ASL may count as one additional year of experience.

Requirements

Licensed to practice law in Minnesota, or eligible for admission to practice in Minnesota before or shortly after the fellowship start date.
Third-year law students who are able to work part-time are eligible to apply.
Deep respect for low-income and vulnerable community members.
Desire to appear in court or administrative proceedings to litigate client rights.
Excellent analytical and communication skills.
Dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
Knowledge of legal research methods, legal writing principles, and case analysis.
Familiarity with landlord-tenant, real property, and consumer law.
Knowledge of civil litigation processes and legal advocacy practices.
Knowledge of trauma-informed and client-centered approaches to legal representation.
Knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and racial justice principles and their application in legal services.
Ability to conduct legal research, analysis, and problem-solving.
Ability to draft pleadings, motions, discovery requests, legal memoranda, correspondence, and other legal documents.
Public speaking, courtroom advocacy, negotiation, dispute resolution, client interviewing, and counseling skills.
Project management and prioritization skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal case management systems, or ability to learn new technology quickly.
Ability to represent clients effectively in court, administrative proceedings, and negotiations; analyze complex legal issues and develop strategies; collaborate with colleagues and external stakeholders; work independently using sound professional judgment; seek support when needed; incorporate client and supervisor feedback; and work in both office and remote environments.
Ability to travel throughout the service area as needed.
Demonstrated commitment to serving vulnerable and lower-income individuals, providing high-quality legal representation, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and racial justice.
Interest in self-development and initiative to identify systemic injustices and craft creative legal solutions.
Flexibility, adaptability, willingness to learn, professional integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to ethical practice.

Nice To Haves

Diverse economic, social, and cultural experiences.
Proficiency in a second language, especially Arabic, Hmong, Oromo, Somali, or Spanish.
Legal training, knowledge of community resources, and experience with case management software.

Responsibilities

Apply the principles of MMLA’s Racial Justice Values Statement in all interactions.
Manage an active caseload in landlord-tenant and homeownership law to promote safe, healthy, and affordable housing.
Represent clients in negotiations, administrative proceedings, and civil cases.
Perform civil litigation tasks, including drafting and filing pleadings, discovery, motion practice, and trials.
Work with MMLA staff and community partners to identify and respond to emerging housing issues affecting vulnerable Minnesotans.
Staff an in-person clinic one or two days per week and cover for other clinic attorneys during absences.
Conduct in-person intake at clinic locations and other community meetings.
With support from the clinic team, determine which cases to accept, the appropriate level of service, and litigation strategies.
Conduct community outreach, including attending community meetings, hosting trainings, meeting clients outside MMLA office hours, and performing site visits.
Support MMLA’s emerging tenant organizing efforts and heirs’ property work.
Perform additional duties as assigned.