Staff Attorney

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid•Saint Cloud, FL

9d•$80,000 - $87,273•Hybrid

About The Position

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is hiring a full-time housing staff attorney for its St. Cloud office. The position serves a diverse population, including low-income families, by protecting and advocating for their housing rights and needs. The attorney represents tenants in civil housing matters through courtroom representation, advice and brief services, complex litigation, policy advocacy, community outreach, and education. The position also supports colleagues on housing-related and other civil legal matters and works to identify systemic legal issues associated with poverty and racism. The role applies MMLA’s racial justice values and emphasizes access to justice, high-quality client service, professional ethics, and collaboration. The position is initially fully in-office during training. After training, a hybrid model allows a mix of in-office and remote work. Travel to courthouses and community locations throughout Central Minnesota is required. The starting date will be negotiated based on bar admission and office needs. Compensation is $80,000 to $87,273 per year, depending on experience, plus benefits.

Requirements

Current licensure to practice law in Minnesota; applicants who took the July Bar exam will be considered, as will attorneys admitted in other states who can obtain reciprocal Minnesota admission.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Strong advocacy, legal writing, and legal analysis skills.
Dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and concern for the needs and rights of low-income people.
Ability to work positively in a law office, support co-workers, and provide high-quality client service.
Means of transportation to county courthouses around Central Minnesota.
Knowledge of Minnesota landlord-tenant and housing law, related civil legal procedures, courtroom practices, litigation processes, rules of evidence, legal research, and legal writing standards.
Knowledge of issues affecting low-income individuals and families; barriers to justice; anti-discrimination, fair housing, and civil rights protections; and relevant community resources.
Strong client representation, legal research, litigation, oral advocacy, interviewing, fact-gathering, negotiation, dispute resolution, outreach, public education, and policy advocacy skills.
Ability to represent clients in court, administrative proceedings, and negotiations; analyze complex legal issues; develop legal strategies; manage a high-volume caseload and deadlines; and communicate legal concepts to people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to work collaboratively, build trust with clients experiencing crisis or housing instability, maintain confidentiality, exercise sound professional judgment, and apply organizational values and racial justice principles.
Commitment to serving low-income individuals and advancing access to justice; demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and cultural competency; experience with diverse economic, social, and cultural populations; and commitment to professional ethics, dependability, professionalism, and accountability.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in a language other than English, particularly Spanish or Somali.
Experience developing and maintaining community partnerships.
One to two years of experience as a licensed, practicing attorney.
Diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences.

Responsibilities

Apply MMLA’s Racial Justice Values Statement in all interactions.
Identify and address systemic legal issues related to poverty and racism affecting the community served.
Represent tenants in civil legal housing matters, including individual and multi-county housing court proceedings.
Advocate for clients’ rights through direct advice and brief services.
Handle complex litigation, policy advocacy, community outreach, and community education as needed.
Support co-workers on housing-related and other civil legal matters.
Travel to courthouses and community locations throughout Central Minnesota.