Poverty Law Attorney

Pisgah Legal Services•Hendersonville, NC

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency seeking a full-time N.C. licensed attorney to handle general poverty law cases primarily in the areas of housing law, including eviction defense, and domestic violence prevention, including domestic and family law cases. The position offers a hybrid remote work schedule with 3 days in office/field and 2 days remote, based out of Hendersonville. PLS serves low-income people in Western North Carolina, providing free civil legal assistance in areas such as housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law. The organization has a significant staff and volunteer attorney base, serving nearly 28,000 people annually.

Requirements

N.C. licensed attorney
Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income people and communities.
Demonstrated skills at socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and ability to assist upset or ill people.
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently.
Ability to work with low-income clients and communities within a multi-ethnic/ multi-cultural environment.
Ability to effectively collaborate with coworkers and clients face to face and in meeting settings.
Possess valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Legal aid experience preferred.
Fluency in Spanish would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Commitment to PLS’ mission, values and vision.
Represent and advise clients in judicial and administrative hearings in landlord/tenant, domestic violence and family law, consumer, public benefits, community economic development, and other poverty law areas as needed.
Work in and travel to rural locations and attend court.
Conduct client interviews with trauma-informed approach; advise and represent clients in Small Claims, District, Superior courts, and administrative proceedings as appropriate.
Document all work and communications in Legal Server case management software.
Organize and conduct outreach and educational presentations.
Establish branch office(s) within service area.
Develop and maintain community relationships including other non-profit agencies, government officials, government employees, community leaders and others.
Travel within our service area and also to meetings or conferences in other parts of NC.
Adhere to program priorities and case handling policies, procedures, and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
Keep abreast of developments in the law and disseminate information to staff, volunteer attorneys and the public.
Work with volunteers, including volunteer attorneys, on a regular basis.
Assist in fundraising and outreach in coordination with PLS Development Team.