Staff Attorney- Housing and Community Economic Development

ABLE • Dayton, OH

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non-profit law firm with the mission to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO). The HCED Practice Group takes a community lawyering approach to litigation and policy advocacy by providing legal support to neighborhood residents seeking to build healthy, economically vibrant communities and advocating for - and with - tenants and tenant organizations to enforce and enact housing laws. The Staff Attorney will work with attorneys, paralegals, community organizers, and social workers to provide direct legal assistance to communities targeted to address challenges of low-income residents and empower them to bring about positive change. ABLE’s service area covers 32 counties in western Ohio. This position will implement legal strategies designed to improve neighborhoods, increase opportunities for healthy housing and economic viability, and expand and protect tenants’ rights across ABLE’s service area. This role is for individuals who want to use their legal skills to challenge the policies and practices that perpetuate poverty and racial injustice and join a team of similarly motivated staff.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio or eligible for admission by motion, temporary certification, or passage of the next bar examination.
• Strong commitment to ABLE’s mission, Strategic Advocacy Initiatives, and poverty law.
• Excellent legal, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in interagency cooperation, collaboration, and community engagement.
• Familiarity with movement lawyering and community lawyering models.

Responsibilities

• Engage client communities and address identified legal needs to alleviate poverty and address systemic racism in targeted neighborhoods
• Collaborate and advocate with impacted community members to further issues identified by community leaders, using community lawyering approach.
• Provide high-quality legal assistance to eligible clients through advice, counsel, negotiation, litigation, administrative representation, and community education.
• Maintain a good working knowledge of procedures for federal, state, and local courts and administrative agencies.
• Develop a strong understanding of substantive laws relevant to assigned practice groups.
• Handle a reasonable volume of cases and advocacy projects commensurate with skill and experience.
• Actively participate in practice group initiatives to implement Strategic Advocacy Initiatives.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with courts, bar associations, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in resolving complaints and grievances from applicants and clients.
• Complete required administrative tasks, including time records and case reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• health insurance
• annual leave
• sick leave
• supplemental language compensation
• loan repayment assistance for attorneys through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation
• paid parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level