Support Link Community Attorney
About The Position
SupportLink is a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide direct legal services, advocacy, and preventative legal education to students and families within school communities. We are seeking a dedicated Community Attorney to serve as a trusted legal resource within designated schools, ensuring families have access to legal support that strengthens community and family stability positively impacting student success. This position is particularly focused on addressing public school chronic absenteeism caused by eviction or housing instability and the prevalence of co-existing civil legal issues, recognizing that legal barriers to stable housing directly impact student attendance and academic outcomes. The attorney will triage and resolve legal issues on the civil law spectrum with emphasis on income supports, housing, immigration, and family law. Direct legal services will range from advice and counsel, brief services, limited scope representation, and full representation depending on capacity and caseload. Time will be split between the embedded site and YWCA Legal office. The Community Attorney will work proactively with families, school staff, and the Program Resource Navigator to intervene early in housing-related and other civil legal matters, helping prevent displacement and ensuring students can remain engaged in their education. This role requires a community-centered legal professional who is passionate about serving families where they are, using a trauma-informed approach, and working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. This role is funded by a grant and continued employment will be contingent on the continuation of that grant.
Requirements
- Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with diverse communities, particularly families and youth in under-resourced areas.
- Strong commitment to collaboration and ability to work effectively with school personnel, social service providers, and legal aid organizations.
- Excellent communication, public speaking, and advocacy skills.
- Ability to work independently while also contributing to a team-oriented approach
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Licensed to practice law in the state of Oklahoma and in good standing with the Oklahoma Bar Association.
- Minimum of 2 years of legal experience in civil legal services, family law, housing law, or other relevant areas (experience with school-based legal programs is a plus).
- Experience providing trauma-informed legal services and working with individuals facing systemic barriers.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Responsibilities
- Provide direct legal assistance to students and families in areas such as housing, family law, expungement, immigration, public benefits, and other civil legal matters that impact family stability and student well-being.
- Conduct legal education workshops for families, school staff, and community members to empower them with knowledge of their rights in various legal areas and available resources.
- Utilize a trauma-informed approach when working with clients, recognizing the impact of past and ongoing trauma on legal needs and decision-making.
- Collaborate with the Program Resource Navigator to ensure holistic support for families, making referrals to social services, housing assistance, and other community-based resources as needed.
- Develop and maintain strong community ties with school administrators, parent organizations, and local service providers to enhance the program's reach and impact.
- Maintain client confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards of legal practice, ensuring culturally responsive and equitable service delivery.
- Track case outcomes and contribute to program evaluation efforts to assess the pilot program’s effectiveness and sustainability.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
