Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney - Public Benefits (Non-Profit)

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania•Norristown, PA

2d•$65,500•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) seeks a public benefits attorney for its Community Engagement Unit. LASP provides free civil legal services to eligible low-income residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. The unit builds relationships with community organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to increase access to justice. The attorney combines direct client advocacy with community engagement. The role includes representing clients in administrative and court proceedings involving public benefits, including TANF, SNAP, Medical Assistance, Unemployment Compensation, and SSI/SSDI. It also involves planning and conducting outreach events, legal clinics, and educational presentations; recruiting, training, and supervising volunteer attorneys and law students; and working with community organizations to identify unmet needs and connect vulnerable populations with legal resources. The position is expected to emphasize engagement with Spanish-speaking communities, and Spanish-English bilingual proficiency is strongly preferred. This is a full-time regional position based in Norristown, Pennsylvania, with responsibilities across 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 position is funded through a grant from the Pennsylvania IOLTA Board and reports to the Community Engagement Unit Supervising Attorney.

Requirements

Be licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, or be admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission to Pennsylvania.
Demonstrate proficiency in word processing, Outlook products, case management software, and online legal research tools.
Show a passionate commitment to public interest law and serving low-income individuals and vulnerable populations.
Have strong written and oral advocacy and organizational skills.
Be willing to accept complex and challenging cases and develop creative strategies to assist clients.

Nice To Haves

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

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.
Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, motions, notices, correspondence, memoranda, discovery, and responses to discovery requests.
Develop case strategy 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 with the management team about the merits of potential appeals.
Engage with external professional and community organizations relevant to casework.
Plan, coordinate, and conduct community outreach events, legal clinics, educational presentations, workshops, and community education.
Recruit, train, and supervise volunteer attorneys and law students.
Develop educational materials about TANF, SNAP, Medical Assistance, Unemployment Compensation, and SSI/SSDI benefits.
Work with community organizations to identify unmet legal needs, develop outreach strategies, and connect vulnerable populations to legal resources.
Participate in LASP team efforts to achieve office and program goals, including program-wide affinity groups and task forces.
Develop knowledge of referral resources and assess community and client needs.
Enhance skills and substantive knowledge through training, CLE, and other educational opportunities.
Comply with applicable professional standards of ethics and practice.
Complete administrative tasks, including entering notes and timekeeping in LASP case management software and maintaining physical files.
Follow applicable grant and contract requirements and assist with grant reports.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.