Community Engagement Staff Attorney (record-clearing)

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania • Norristown, PA

12d • $65,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) seeks a full-time attorney for its Community Engagement Unit, based in Norristown and serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. The unit conducts community outreach and collaborates with a broad network of community partners. The attorney will organize outreach events and clinics, recruit and oversee volunteers, and provide legal representation, particularly to people facing collateral consequences from criminal records. A special focus is anticipated for the Spanish-speaking population in LASP’s service area.

The attorney will educate communities about Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate law, help individuals determine whether their records will be sealed automatically, and assist with petitions where needed. Matters may include expungements, pardons, limited access petitions, professional licensure appeals, criminal-record error corrections, civil forfeitures, and court-debt waivers. The attorney may also work on reentry issues for people recently released or soon to be released from incarceration.

The position has responsibility throughout LASP’s four-county service area. Staff currently work on a hybrid basis, and the successful candidate is expected to work in the office as well as remotely as needed. The attorney reports to the Director of Community Engagement & Training.

Requirements

• Licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in Pennsylvania.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office products, case management software, and online legal research tools.
• Passionate commitment to public interest law and serving low-income individuals and vulnerable populations.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of experience as a lawyer is preferred.
• Spanish language fluency is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients, help determine eligibility for services, and ascertain and investigate facts.
• Conduct legal research and interpret statutes, case law, regulations, and other sources of law.
• Provide advice and counsel to clients and make appropriate referrals.
• Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, motions, notices, correspondence, memoranda, discovery, and responses to discovery requests.
• Develop case strategies and arguments and help prepare witnesses for hearings and trials.
• Represent clients in trial and appellate courts and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies.
• Review decisions and consult LASP’s management team about the merits of potential appeals.
• Participate in relevant professional and community organizations and develop and strengthen relationships with community partners.
• Conduct clinics, community education, training, and workshops.
• Recruit and manage LASP volunteers, including pro bono attorneys, law students, undergraduates, and others.
• Participate in LASP team efforts to achieve office and program goals, including program-wide affinity groups and task forces.
• Develop knowledge of community referral resources and assess community and client needs.
• Work with LASP’s Communications Director to create and update legal resources, including flyers, brochures, and information for self-represented litigants, with emphasis on resources for the Spanish-speaking community.
• Enhance skills and substantive knowledge through training, CLE, and other educational opportunities.
• Abide by applicable professional standards of ethics and practice.
• Complete administrative tasks, including entering notes and timekeeping in LASP case management software and maintaining physical files.
• Ensure compliance with requirements of grants and contracts that may fund the position and assist with grant reports.
• Perform other assigned duties and responsibilities.

Benefits

• 401K retirement plan with generous employer contributions.
• Health insurance option with 100% of premium costs provided.
• Ancillary benefits.
• Generous leave provisions, including paid holidays, floating holidays, personal leave, vacation, sick leave, and parental leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed