Staff Attorney

About the Organization

Utah Legal Services (ULS) is a nonprofit dedicated to providing high-quality civil legal aid without cost to people who are unable to afford legal representation or are facing disadvantages. Our mission is to ensure meaningful access to justice, promote education, stability, safety, and protection, and make equal justice a reality for low-income Utahns. Since 1976, ULS has delivered free civil legal services through more than 70 attorneys and legal professionals working remotely and in person across four regional offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, and St. George.

About the Role

As a Staff Attorney at ULS, you will serve as a litigation attorney and/or administrative representative, providing ethical and competent civil legal representation and client support services to Utahns with low-income or special vulnerabilities. You will conduct case management, client support, legal research, litigation or administrative work, and oversee the legal work of an assigned paralegal(s). You will report directly to your Managing Attorney and receive moderate direction on casework from the Subject Matter Chair(s).

Responsibilities

• Case Management
  • Use the ULS case management system, LegalServer, to bill time, manage clients, and track case-related tasks and deadlines for timely communications, services, and representation.
  • Follow case handling protocols and best practices provided by the Subject Area Chair overseeing your cases.
  • Determine the correct Level of Service (LOS) for each assigned case and update as necessary.
  • Manage an average caseload of 60-150 cases based on the level of service and area of law.
  • Regularly and strategically review case status and tasks, updating as needed.
  • Review cases for Case Service Report (CSR) compliance and properly close cases.
  • Actively collaborate with a paralegal to move cases toward finality in a timely manner.
• Client Support
  • Communicate with clients to gather facts, prepare case summaries, and evaluate the merits of assigned cases.
  • Educate clients about laws, rules, and legal processes related to their matter, including potential outcomes, reasonable expectations, goals, and next steps.
  • Advocate for clients by providing advice, brief services, and representation to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities while keeping them informed of case developments.
  • Prepare clients for depositions, interviews, examinations, hearings, and other case-related meetings.
• Legal Research
  • Conduct research using relevant legal platforms such as Xchange, PACER, ERE, Utah State Court and District Court websites, and governmental agencies to request documents, research, and aid in case progression.
  • Review relevant statutes, rules, regulations, caselaw, and secondary sources to develop case strategies.
• Litigation and Administrative Work
  • Prepare pro se answers and motions for clients not eligible for extended representation through ULS.
  • Review paralegal work for accuracy and compliance with all rules, laws, and professional responsibilities, including compliance with grantees and regulatory governing entities.
  • Independently prepare and submit court or administrative agency documents to the court, agency, and appropriate parties.
  • Explore possible settlements through client-approved negotiations to mitigate harm and improve the client’s situation.
  • Independently attend moderate to complex meetings, mediations, hearings, trials, and other necessary client-related proceedings to advocate for your client.
• Additional Duties
  • Attend ULS staff meetings, training sessions, and case reviews.
  • Complete continuing legal education (CLE) and other certification requirements.
  • Serve on internal ULS working groups as invited by management.
  • Assist in developing ULS training materials and participate in group training sessions.
  • Engage in community outreach, including clinics, education classes, and partnerships to further ULS’s mission.
  • Maintain good standing with regulatory entities, including the Utah State Bar.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

• Strong commitment to assisting people with low incomes and special vulnerabilities and promoting meaningful access to civil legal justice.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities and high verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of adaptability and ability to manage stress.
• Self-motivated, dependable, detail-oriented, and accountable.
• Commitment to strict confidentiality rules.
• Work experience in one or more of the following legal areas is preferred: domestic law, housing, consumer protection, debt defense, public benefits, Native American law, or migrant worker law.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of diverse people, cultures, and backgrounds to maintain strong relationships.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of legal experience.
• Juris Doctor Degree from a U.S. accredited law school.
• Admission and good standing with the Utah State Bar.
• Must be able to pass a Utah Criminal Record background check.

Work Environment

• Must be able to travel to meetings and court proceedings as needed.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Required to work in person at a ULS office one day per week.

Pay

Staff Attorney hourly range: $40 - $45 (non-exempt, full time).