Attorney
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc., (SMRLS) is seeking to fill a Staff Attorney position in the Southeast Region to handle primarily Economic Justice and Elder Law matters. The successful candidate may office out of any SMRLS office.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The attorney will provide legal assistance to clients in contested court and administrative proceedings, including government benefits administrative appeals. The attorney will also represent clients with terminations, denials, and overpayments of government benefits, as well as disqualifications from and errors in calculating benefits. Typical cases involve family or non-family cash assistance, food support, health care benefits, unemployment benefits, childcare assistance, and disability benefits. The unit also represents clients seeking criminal expungements when criminal histories are detrimentally affecting housing or employment opportunities. The attorney will also provide legal representation to elder law clients on critical legal issues under Title III-B of the Older Americans Act. They will perform outreach and community legal education for older residents throughout SMRLS’ service area. The attorney should be trained, or willing to be trained, in nursing home discharge cases, Medicaid for long-term care, and other issues unique to people over 60. The attorney will represent eligible clients with cases venued throughout SMRLS’ southeast service area.
Assignments may change over time based upon client and firm needs. The attorney must accept supervision and must be willing to maintain a caseload in compliance with SMRLS’ written practice standards and comply with SMRLS’ policies, practices, and guiding principles in furtherance of SMRLS’ mission. Community education, outreach, intake responsibilities, and active bar participation are also required activities. Substantial local travel is required.
QUALIFICATIONS: Must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota or be a candidate for Bar admission. Non-academic experience working in low-income communities, or other activities that demonstrate an interest in working with low-income clients, will be given great weight. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with victims of domestic abuse, older Americans, and individuals from different cultural backgrounds is essential. Good communication skills; ability to work constructively with others in a team work setting; good judgment; strong organizational capability; ability to learn quickly and to work hard, independently, and under pressure; and ability to handle contested hearings are all required. Basic computer competence required.
SALARY: The salary is $74.038+ DOE, pursuant to scale. Outstanding medical and dental benefits provided.
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible after the position is filled.
TO APPLY: Email or mail cover letter and resume with three references to:
Brian Lipford
Senior Leadership Attorney
SMRLS
903 W Center Street, Suite 230
Rochester, MN 55902
------------
ABOUT SMRLS: SMRLS is a non-profit law firm which receives federal, state, local, public, and private funding to provide free legal help to low income and elderly people who reside in 33 counties of southern Minnesota, including the St. Paul metropolitan area. As Minnesota’s oldest legal aid program (founded in 1909), SMRLS has established a tradition of partnership with the private bar, a bi-partisan Legislature, the Minnesota Supreme Court and other Minnesota Legal Services Coalition programs in providing access to justice. SMRLS has an experienced, dynamic staff of 55 attorneys and 45 additional staff. Hundreds of volunteer attorneys help staff provide legal assistance to approximately 10,000 eligible persons each year.
SMRLS is a client-centered organization which is committed to its Mission of providing a full range of high-quality legal services, in a respectful manner which enable clients to: enforce their legal rights; maintain freedom from hunger, homelessness, sickness and abuse; and empower persons and ensure equal opportunity, thus, helping persons to help themselves and become economically self-reliant, to the extent their individual abilities and circumstances permit. SMRLS has adopted Practice Standards and Guiding Principles to accomplish its Mission and has established case priorities which govern the types of cases which will be accepted for representation.
SMRLS values, welcomes, and promotes diversity in all aspects of its work. SMRLS serves clients from a wide range of backgrounds. SMRLS has adopted a Racial Justice policy to guide the firm’s work towards racial equality.
SMRLS IS COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE.
WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY