Family Law Staff Attorney

WTLS provides free civil legal help to low-income West Tennesseans seeking access to basic rights of shelter, financial security, and freedom from abuse. WTLS works with community organizations and client groups to educate communities about civil legal issues and access to justice. Candidates should have a strong commitment to access to equal justice for West Tennesseans who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

About the role

The Family Law Staff Attorney ensures the provision of high-quality legal services in family law matters to low-income clients in WTLS’ 21-county service area, focused on orders of protection, divorces, child custody, and adoptions for domestic violence or abuse/neglect victims. This position is funded by the Family-Centered Legal Solutions (FCLS) grant with Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS). The project’s focus is stabilizing the household by providing outreach, education, and holistic legal advocacy to low-income families with children. Grant positions are funded through the duration of the grant, and subsequent renewal could result in modification of job duties and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide civil legal assistance to individuals, including interviewing clients, researching, performing factual investigations, preparing pleadings and memoranda, negotiating case resolutions, and representing clients in court and administrative hearings
• Provide counsel, advice, and other brief services when appropriate
• Build and maintain a caseload commensurate with experience and expectations
• Co-counsel with other attorneys and work with paralegals
• Develop and implement litigation and/or advocacy strategies to address systemic legal problems
• Accurately record timekeeping entries in real-time, ensuring detailed and precise documentation of work hours, project time allocation, and task completion for reporting and payroll purposes
• Maintain office hours, as requested, at offsite locations, like family justice centers or courts
• Provide outreach and education activities for client and community groups
• Meet the requirements of the Family-Centered Legal Solutions project
• Establish and maintain a professional working relationship with staff by facilitating effective communication, promoting teamwork, and providing support to ensure a collaborative and productive work environment
• Participate in staff meetings, board meetings, and other meetings, as requested
• Serve on internal committees, work groups, and other groups to promote and improve organizational operations
• Comply with program policies and regulations of the Legal Services Corporation and other funders
• Comply with relevant portions of the Legal Services Corporation’s Performance Criteria and the American Bar Association’s Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid
• Comply with all applicable organizational, professional, and legal requirements for confidentiality
• Perform other duties as may reasonably be requested

Requirements

• J.D. Degree
• Current licensure in good standing in Tennessee or eligible for reciprocity and willing to secure reciprocity
• Background check, including references, that is complete and free of concerns
• General practice experience, including litigation experience, or willingness to participate in appropriate training
• Ability to conduct research and analysis
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions
• Ability to draft legally sufficient pleadings and other legal documents, including creating concise and persuasive arguments
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations, or administrative proceedings; to give public presentations, conduct trainings, and do client outreach
• Experience working with or sensitivity to specialized client populations and individuals from ethnic or language distinct communities
• Sufficient computer skills to be able to maintain client records, prepare documents, and maintain contemporaneous time records
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively
• Reliable personal transportation and willingness to travel statewide occasionally and to WTLS’ other offices as necessary
• Maintain insurability under WTLS’ group auto policy
• Intermediate to expert proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Success Factors

• Demonstrate a commitment to the principle of equal justice and advocacy for low-income people by actively participating in initiatives and projects that promote access to legal services for low-income individuals, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard and respected in all professional activities
• Treat clients, staff, and the public with dignity and respect
• Appreciate the experiences and needs of people of diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds
• Demonstrate a personal sense of integrity
• Take ownership of projects and produce solid work products
• Work as a member of a team and independently including willingness to help others (cooperative) and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience
• Address issues in a timely manner
• Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment
• Handle and prioritize multiple, competing demands

Working Conditions

• Work during office hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A minimum 30-minute break must be taken when at least 6 hours are worked. Work hours must be accurate and contemporaneously recorded. A flextime of work hours may be used, if approved
• Work after hours or on weekends may be required occasionally
• Work is performed primarily in an office setting
• May work up to 2 days per week remotely after completion of 90-day probationary period. The scheduled remote days will be determined upon staffing of the position. The telecommuting schedule may be amended with prior approval of the supervisor on an as needed basis
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Often communicating with people using the phone, email, via video call, or in person
• Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds
• Travel within the WTLS service area. A valid Tennessee driver’s license is required

Pay

Compensation: $57,100 to $100,000 DOE. This position is a full-time position, and compensation is made according to the WTLS Salary Scale that became effective on April 28, 2025.

Benefits

• Full-time benefits include the ability to participate in WTLS’ health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, LTD, Life Insurance, 401k retirement plan
• Paid time off (based on years of employment)
• Paid Holidays (12)
• Paid week off between Christmas and New Year