Staff Attorney- Union, MO Office

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Inc•Union, MO

11d•$66,000 - $99,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM), a nonprofit law firm providing free, quality civil legal services to clients living with low income and limited opportunity, seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to work in its Union, Missouri office and the counties of Franklin, Lincoln, Montgomery, Warren, and Washington. This is a hybrid work position, with three days per week expected in the office. Additional remote work may be authorized, depending on requirements for court appearances. The Staff Attorney will provide direct representation to clients in the counties served by the office in a range of civil legal areas. The majority of cases are family law representing survivors of domestic violence survivors in orders of protection, divorce, custody, paternity cases and minor guardianships. The Staff Attorney will represent tenants facing eviction and loss of housing assistance, and consumers facing collection actions, and potentially of work on systemic issues facing our client population. The Staff Attorney will provide outreach, community education and training about legal issues that affect our client population. LSEM’s Union office offers holistic advocacy. The Staff Attorney will work in close collaboration with the managing attorney, other attorneys, social workers, and paralegals in the Union office and other LSEM offices.

Requirements

JD and admitted to practice in Missouri (or eligible to be admitted)
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law work or to legal services for persons living with low-income strongly preferred
Experience working in family law and with survivors of domestic or sexual violence preferred
Knowledge of USDA, HUD, and other regulations related to housing, and FDCPA and other consumer protection laws is helpful
Strong litigation and advocacy skills
Ability to relate well and work with low-income rural clients and collaborate with community stakeholders
Strong communication skills, work ethic, flexibility, and teamwork
Strong organizational skills
Open to creative and innovative ways of fulfilling the legal aid mission
Must have own transportation and be able to drive to court and to meet with clients across numerous counties.

Responsibilities

All aspects of litigation, including drafting pleadings, discovery, motion practice, trial preparation and trials and appeals when needed
Managing a diverse caseload of legal issues spanning jurisdictions in Warren, Lincoln, Franklin, Montgomery, and Washington counties
Recognizing major systemic issues affecting the lives of low-income rural clients and litigating them when possible
Conducting legal research and analysis
Conducting community outreach and presentations
Working collaboratively with other staff throughout LSEM, other Legal Services programs and community partners serving this population
Other duties or tasks as assigned