Lakeshore Legal Aid - Staff Attorney for Veterans - Detroit

Organization Overview:

Lakeshore Legal Aid serves low-income people, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in a holistic manner to address clients’ legal issues and improve our communities. Lakeshore provides free direct legal representation in southeast Michigan and the thumb and client intake, advice, and brief legal services throughout Michigan via our attorney-staffed hotline. Our practice areas include housing, family, consumer, elder, education, and public benefits law.

Position Overview:

Lakeshore is seeking a dedicated lawyer who will advocate and litigate on behalf of Veteran clients at risk of homelessness. Staff attorneys will be responsible for representing Veteran clients in a holistic manner to achieve the clients’ goals through advocacy including litigation. In addition to individual client representation, staff attorneys are expected to be active in the Veteran community through participation in outreach and community organizations. Though staff may have clients throughout the Metro Detroit area, this staff attorney will hold regular office hours at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit. The ideal candidate for this position has military or Veteran status or a close connection to the military. Staff attorneys will treat clients, co-workers, and others with dignity and respect

General Task Areas:

  • Provide timely civil legal services to low-income and senior clients and client groups through representation in trial courts, appellate courts and other forums, through litigation, advice, negotiation, drafting and review of legal documents, referrals and administrative advocacy.
  • Serve the clients in a holistic and client centered manner.
  • Develop an expertise in one or more areas of law, if required.
  • Promote and maintain civil and professional relationships with coworkers, clients, members of the judicial system, and members of the public with whom they have contact, treating all with dignity and respect.
  • Train or mentor other staff in areas of experience.
  • Create and/or deliver presentations to community groups on legal services related topics.
  • Develop continuing expertise to handle increasingly more complex litigation or other projects.
  • Perform other work-related duties as assigned by the supervising attorney, a director, CEO, or a CEO designee.

Qualifications:

  • Graduated from an accredited law school.
  • Admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, or an application at the first opportunity for admission by reciprocity, or by taking the first available bar exam.
  • Demonstrated interest in the area of poverty law and working with low- income individuals. Able to communicate effectively, be empathetic and understand the diverse clients of the poverty community.
  • Ability to deal effectively with all people under difficult circumstances.
  • Demonstrable skills in litigation, advocacy, interviewing, and drafting legal documents.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan and organize multiple tasks.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Salary

Starting annual salary for an attorney licensed in Michigan ranges from $60,000 and is commensurate with qualifications and includes excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability, retirement plan, paid time off and personal time.

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume at our website www.lakeshorelegalaid.org

** Do not delay. Applications accepted until 5 pm, April 5, 2024, or until the position is filled. **

LLA values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer

Date Posted