Staff Attorney

MID-MINNESOTA LEGAL ASSISTANCE • Saint Cloud, FL

33d • $80,000 - $87,273 • Hybrid

About The Position

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) is seeking 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 successful candidate will work fully in the office during training and onboarding; after training, a hybrid model allows a mix of in-office and remote work. The start date will be negotiated based on bar admission and office 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 and other civil legal matters and applies MMLA’s racial justice values while identifying and addressing systemic legal issues related to poverty and racism.

MMLA describes a commitment to work-life harmony, on-the-job training, mentorship, and growth opportunities. The St. Cloud office closes at noon on Fridays, with employees receiving a half-day of paid flex time. The position is regular, full-time, and exempt. Salary is $80,000–$87,273 per year, depending on experience, plus benefits.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Minnesota landlord-tenant law, housing law, and related civil legal procedures.
• Knowledge of courtroom practices, litigation processes, rules of evidence, legal research methods, and legal writing standards.
• Knowledge of issues affecting low-income individuals and families, barriers to justice faced by underserved communities, anti-discrimination and fair housing laws, civil rights protections, and relevant community resources.
• Knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and cultural responsiveness.
• Strong legal advocacy, client representation, legal writing, legal analysis, problem-solving, research, courtroom litigation, and oral advocacy skills.
• Client interviewing and fact-gathering, negotiation, dispute resolution, community outreach, public education, and policy advocacy skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to represent clients in court, administrative proceedings, and negotiations; analyze complex legal issues and develop appropriate legal strategies; manage a high-volume caseload and meet deadlines; and communicate legal concepts clearly to people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to identify systemic legal issues affecting low-income communities and develop strategies to address them; collaborate in a multidisciplinary, team-oriented law office; build trust with clients experiencing crisis, poverty, discrimination, or housing instability; exercise sound professional judgment; and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to build and maintain community partnerships and apply organizational values and racial justice principles in daily work.
• Current Minnesota law license, eligibility for admission, or ability to obtain reciprocal admission. Applicants who took the July Bar exam will be considered.
• Commitment to serving low-income individuals, advancing access to justice, DEI principles, high-quality client service, and professional ethics.
• Experience working with diverse economic, social, and cultural populations.
• Dependability, professionalism, and accountability.
• Means of transportation to county courthouses and other required work locations throughout Central Minnesota.
• Ability to work positively within a law office, support co-workers, and provide high-quality client service.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in a language other than English, particularly Spanish or Somali; for client-facing roles, certified fluency at Intermediate High or above may count as one additional year of experience, subject to assessment.
• Diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences.
• Experience developing and maintaining community partnerships.
• One to two years of experience as a licensed, practicing attorney.

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 direct courtroom representation individually and through multi-county housing courts.
• Advocate for clients’ rights and access to justice through direct advice and brief services.
• Handle complex litigation and policy advocacy.
• Conduct community outreach and provide community education as needed for client populations, projects, and office needs.
• Support co-workers on housing-related and other civil legal matters.
• Travel to courthouses and community locations throughout Central Minnesota as required.

Benefits

• Family medical and dental insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 403(b) with employer match.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Employee assistance programs.
• Generous paid time off.
• Half-day of paid flex time on Fridays.
• On-the-job training and mentorship, with opportunities for growth within the organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed