The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is seeking applicants for a part-time Law Clerk position for its eviction diversion work and other state support work. This is a one-year, part-time clerkship. Due to COVID-19, MPLP expects increased need for legal assistance in housing cases—not only from existing clients, but also from newly unemployed community members who are unable to afford housing and facing eviction, lawfully or not. LSC-funded programs around the state have added additional staff to represent clients, but MPLP is helping tenants who are not eligible for help from LSC-funded programs, primarily due to immigration status.
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. 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 Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal services to low income and senior persons through several statewide programs. MSAS is administered by the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP), which provides access to the justice system for those who need it the most through civil legal aid offices and statewide advocacy programs. 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. Visit mplp.org and miadvocacy.org for more information.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Law Clerk will be doing intake interviews for tenants facing eviction across the state, assisting in outreach to non-LSC eligible clients, research and possibly document drafting for clients, and supporting MPLP attorneys in other support activities related to eviction prevention and other poverty related topics. Until our offices fully re-open, the MPLP Law Clerk will be working remotely.
QUALIFICATIONS: Law students must have at least one year of law school completed. This position requires fluency in Spanish and English. It is helpful if applicants have experience working with low-income persons and a commitment to assisting underserved populations. MAP is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
SALARY: $15/hour
TO APPLY: Send a resume and cover letter as an attachment(s) to jobs@lsscm.org with “MPLP EDP Law Clerk” as the subject.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.