POSITION: The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is seeking applicants for a family law support attorney. MPLP seeks an experienced, strategic, and dynamic attorney with a background in family law to take a lead role in legislative and administrative advocacy and impact litigation advocating on behalf of Michigan's low-income families, including survivors of domestic violence.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is a statewide legal resource program located in Ypsilanti. MPLP provides state support services to local legal services programs and other poverty law advocates. Our goals are to support the advocacy of civil legal aid programs; to coordinate advocacy for low-income individuals and families in Michigan; to assure that a full range of advocacy continues on behalf of the poor; and to lead policy and systemic advocacy and litigation efforts in Michigan on behalf of low-income families and vulnerable populations. We work directly with local advocates by providing open access to case consultation, co-counseling, or referrals for current clients, and trainings. MPLP is part of the Committee on Regional Training (CORT). CORT is a four-state training consortium that provides substantive law and skills trainings for legal services attorneys in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
MPLP is part of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal services to Michigan’s low-income residents, Michigan’s immigrant communities, and seniors through several statewide programs. MSAS is administered by the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP)
Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP) is founded on the belief that equal justice is a right, not a privilege. MAP’s mission is to advance the safety, independence, and economic stability of those most affected by poverty, racism, and other structurally oppressive systems by increasing access to justice and working for systemic solutions. MAP is committed to anti-racism in all aspects of our work and has an active Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Visit mplp.org and miadvocacy.org for more information.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Identify, develop, and lead legislative and administrative advocacy and litigation strategies in family law.
- Identify ways in which to challenge racialized systems and practices.
- Provide legal and technical support to legislators, policymakers, community organizations, legal services attorneys, and other poverty law advocates on family law issues.
- Help build, lead, and collaborate with coalitions of community and grassroots organizations.
- Lead and coordinate coalitions and advisory groups statewide around family law issues in collaboration with advocacy partners.
- Engage in impact litigation and appellate work.
- Support legal services attorneys, poverty law advocates and pro bono attorneys through research, case consultation, litigation support, and co-counseling cases.
- Offer trainings to legal aid advocates and other poverty advocates.
- Lead quarterly statewide family law task force meetings.
- Lead teams on specific advocacy projects, and produce community legal education materials on family law.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- J.D. and licensed (or eligible to become licensed) to practice law in Michigan.
- Minimum 5 years legal experience.
- Experience or background in family law, including advocacy on behalf of survivors of domestic violence.
- Demonstrated litigation experience, appellate experience and/or policy advocacy experience.
- Demonstrated ability to work with clients’ groups, community-based groups, and coalitions.
- Excellent research and writing skills.
- Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Strong organizational skills, strategic thinker, and creative.
- Commitment to MAP’s mission to advance the safety, independence, and economic stability of those most affected by poverty, racism, and other structurally oppressive systems by increasing access to justice and working for systemic solutions.
BENEFITS: This is a full-time position with a salary starting at $72,520 based on years of relevant experience. MAP offers a generous benefits package including life, short and long term disability, health, vision, dental and flexible spending accounts. If an applicant does not require health benefits, they have the option to take an annual $1,500 payout in addition to the base salary paid over the course of the year. MAP also has a generous leave policy allowing staff to accrue 3 weeks paid vacation the first year and 13 paid holidays, as well as an annual 2% contribution and 2% match to retirement plan subject to board approval for eligible staff. MAP is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
TO APPLY: Send a resume and cover letter with “MPLP Family Law Support Attorney” in the subject line to jobs@lsscm.org. Applications received by 12/1/22 will receive priority.
MSAS/MPLP is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.