Senior Staff Attorney

Indiana Legal Services•Merrillville, IN

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a statewide, not-for-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through 8 branch offices. The LAVA (“Legal Assistance to Victimized Adults”) Project is a statewide project of Indiana Legal Services dedicated to providing civil legal representation to older adults (age 60+) and endangered adults (age 18+ with a disability that limits their ability to care for themselves or their property) who are victims of crime, including abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The LAVA Project is principally funded by a grant from the US Department of Justice and administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. LAVA provides civil services to eligible victims of crime on civil legal issues arising from their victimization. Common case types include financial exploitation, guardianship termination and accountings, fiduciary and power of attorney abuse, domestic violence and protection orders, consumer fraud and scams, public benefits, and victims’ rights enforcement. In addition to direct legal services, the Senior Staff Attorney will conduct outreach, training, and community education presentations. The LAVA Project also provides law-related education and proactive programming designed to empower seniors, endangered adults, and the professionals and caregivers who work with them. ILS is committed to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. This is a permanent, full-time position. The Staff Attorney and Senior Staff Attorney provide high-quality, victim-centered, trauma-informed civil legal services to older adults and endangered adults who are victims of crime. Representation may include advice, negotiation, and litigation. In addition to maintaining an active caseload, the Senior Staff Attorney plays a leadership role within the LAVA Project team, including mentoring staff, supporting program development, and serving as a subject matter resource on elder justice issues.

Requirements

Dedicated to the mission, vision, and values of Indiana Legal Services
Licensed to practice law in Indiana
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Available transportation and ability to travel throughout the state as needed to perform job responsibilities, particularly to remote and rural counties
Proven leadership skills with a strong work ethic
Demonstrated commitment to social justice and increasing access to justice for vulnerable populations
Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting, including with social workers and allied professionals, to facilitate coordinated community responses and provide holistic services to clients

Nice To Haves

Minimum of three years of legal practice experience
Experience in elder law, victims’ rights, guardianship, or related areas strongly preferred
Experience representing clients with diminished capacity is strongly preferred
Experience delivering trainings and presentations
Excellent negotiation and litigation skills

Responsibilities

Provide victim-centered, trauma-informed legal advice, representation, and advocacy to older adults and endangered adults who are victims of crime throughout Indiana, including issues related to financial exploitation, abuse, and neglect
Develop and execute strategies aimed at addressing the needs of the elder and endangered adult communities throughout Indiana
Provide community education through presentations, publications, and coalition participation, with particular attention to rural and underserved communities
Develop educational materials and conduct training and outreach on elder abuse, financial exploitation, and related topics to legal and allied professionals
Collaborate with other ILS offices and projects by sharing expertise, research, and pleadings, and by consulting, training, and co-counseling cases as appropriate
Comply with all ILS policies and procedures for legal work management