MLP Attorney
LOGAN, WV
(Exempt Employee)
Purpose of Job:
To provide high quality legal advice/representation, professional advocacy, and other appropriate legal services for low-income clients. As a Recovery Medical Legal Partnership Attorney in this Legal Aid of West Virginia office, you will primarily represent people who are living in recovery residences or attending outpatient treatment, and you will need to build relationships and trust with providers and staff as well as patients/residents in highly sensitive and confidential spaces. You will have direct responsibility for providing clients with trauma-informed and stigma-free legal advice and in-court representation, with support from and collaboration with other attorneys and community partners. The Recovery Medical Legal Partnership Project is a newly expanded project creating a network of like-minded attorneys and paralegals throughout West Virginia to create lasting change on West Virginians in recovery, working to overcome socioeconomic legal barriers to recovery, as well as overcoming stigma and discrimination presented by their pasts, and working to rekindle family and community connections.
This position is located in Logan, WV, but can be filled by someone living in the capital city of Charleston, with mileage reimbursements available for all travel to and from the Logan office, and to outreach and court appearances nearby.
Scope of Responsibility:
Work performed in the office setting, in the courts, in administrative law proceedings, and in the community.
Essential Job Functions:
- Provide legal representation consistent with professional and LAWV organizational standards for the delivery of civil legal services to the poor.
- Prepare legal documents, advise clients, gather evidence necessary to formulate defenses or to initiate legal action. Conduct research, interview clients, and witnesses, investigate, and handle other details in preparation for trial. Prepare legal briefs, develop strategy, prepare arguments, and prepare testimony in connection with cases. Represent clients in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies. Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations.
- Maintain accurate and complete files or records.
- New attorneys shall receive mentorship, training and case reviews over the course of their first year.
- Attend and participate in substantive task forces focused on issues impacting our clients, like DHHR Benefits, Family Law, and Housing.
- Occasional night and weekend work hours; some local and out-of-town travel. Attorneys must be able to get to Court or Administrative hearings.
- Help LAWV engage the legal community and members of the Bar to provide free legal help to Legal Aid clients through pro bono work.
Job Requirements:
- Must have demonstrable commitment to understanding and addressing issues of low-income constituents.
- Must have J.D. and be admitted to practice in West Virginia and in good standing or must be eligible for admission to the West Virginia Bar under West Virginia Supreme Court Rule 9 if admitted to practice in another state or must be eligible to take the next regularly scheduled West Virginia Bar Exam.
- Must have skills to use office technologies, including learning LAWV case management software.
- Must be able to balance administrative and client advocacy responsibilities.
Other Duties:
1. Attorneys will work with their supervisor to develop goals within program priorities and funding; and will work with their supervisor to identify individual training needs.
2. Attorneys will timely prepare reports and complete forms and records necessary for client services or administrative tasks related to their job.
Salary and Benefits:
The Attorney position is a salaried position with an annual starting salary range of $52,000 – $61,400. LAWV offers a generous benefits package, a 37.5-hour workweek, paid vacation leave and sick leave and health plan, as well as dental, vision, and life benefits. Staff also have the option to participate in a 403(b)-retirement plan and dependent and health flex savings accounts (FSA). LAWV is an eligible nonprofit employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
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