Application Process

NWLS Staff Attorneys work on-site and report directly to their office's Managing Attorney and the Executive Director. They will be expected to provide quality civil legal advice, individual (or group) representation and litigation, appellate practice, and be able to identify and navigate challenges to particular judicial practices and regulations. Staff Attorneys must also provide education and maintain educational materials to and for the low-income client community concerning their rights, as well as education of the larger community concerning these issues, and legislative and administrative education.

Caseloads will include domestic violence, family law, consumer law, public benefits, housing, unemployment, and other areas of civil public interest and poverty law. The Erie office primarily covers cases in Erie County, but Erie Staff Attorneys may have to cover cases in other counties in the NWLS service area from time to time. Travel will be expected periodically for hearings, client meetings, community outreaches, and professional development and training activities. All travel mileage is reimbursed.

Attorneys will be expected to responsibly maintain and professionally manage their client caseloads with the utmost care and respect for rule of law, ethical conduct, and PA bar regulations and requirements. NWLS is mission-driven and focused on compassion and understanding of the civil legal needs of the low-income community.

Desired Skills & Work Culture

Applicants should have a passion for the provision of civil legal services to those who cannot afford to pay a private attorney. Attorneys will be expected to handle and manage their own paperwork and files, communication with their clients, keep important deadlines, and be compliant with funder requirements. Attorneys are also expected to keep detailed and contemporaneous time records and have organized and compliant file maintenance practices. New attorneys are extensively trained and mentored. We have a laid-back and practical work culture that new attorneys enjoy, emphasizing a work/life balance to help avoid burn-out and stress.

In order to be considered for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree from an accredited law school.
• Be a PA Bar member, OR; be eligible to practice law in PA or for reciprocity, OR; have imminent plans to sit for or have recently taken the PA bar exam (bar passage is required).
• Be able to analyze and apply legal principles to practical problems in an understandable manner to clients, both verbally and in written communication.
• Have knowledge and understanding of the problems and needs of the low-income community and the ability to relate to poverty and community groups, as well as other staff.
• Have strong interpersonal skills and a client-centered approach, including the ability to work respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Have basic technological abilities and skills, including typing, computers, phones, and general office equipment, and familiarity with case management systems and office software programs.
• Be aware of and practice ethical principles and confidentiality standards for handling client information.
• Have organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accurate client files and time records.

Prior working experience with our client community or programs to aid low-income populations is a plus. The ability to communicate in a language other than English which is spoken by a significant segment of the client community is a plus.

Pulled from the full job description

• Loan assistance
• Loan forgiveness
• Professional development assistance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account, The starting annual salary for Staff Attorneys with 0-3 years' experience is $65,000-67,000+. Starting salary increases based on relevant work experience and skills. Work hours are 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday.

Notable benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Dependent Care Account (DCA) available
• 12.5 Paid Holidays per year
• Vacation, Sick, and Leave Time
• Short-Term Disability; Long-Term Disability Available
• Automatic Annual Employer Contributions to 401(k), regardless of Employee Contribution
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance Programs available for qualified loans
• Employment currently qualifies for federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (subject to change)
• Employer-paid Professional Development Opportunities
• Stipend for qualified moving expenses
• Flexibility in work schedule and remote-working opportunities

Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) is seeking qualified applicants for two (2) full-time Staff Attorney positions in our Erie, PA office. We are a PA non-profit legal aid organization providing free legal services to eligible residents with civil legal issues in the 10 northwestern counties of PA.