Staff Attorney - Family Defense Project

Duties/Responsibilities

• Represent parents’ interests by preparing, filing, and arguing pleadings on their behalf in support of their goals;
• Stay up to date on all relevant training and requirements;
• Maintain open communication with parents, peer parent advocate, client advocate and members of the Neighborhood Legal Services FDP support team;
• Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals, as needed;
• Carry out preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients;
• Conduct factual investigation, analysis, and legal research, as needed;
• Develop case theory and strategy for the representation;
• Keep clients informed on an ongoing basis and provide counsel about their options;
• Prepare pleadings, including but not limited to, complaints, answers, memoranda of law, briefs as may be needed;
• Prepare cases and represent clients in negotiations, hearings, trials, and appeals;
• Monitor client files and close files in a timely manner as required by program policy;
• Enter time in a timely manner pursuant to program policy;
• Maintain case files in accordance with NLS standards.

  Required Skills/Abilities

  • Strong computer knowledge and skills. Strong in Microsoft Office Suite;
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to details;
  • Excellent interpersonal and client service skills;
  • Must have efficient transportation to locations other than the NLSA office as needed for work;

  Education and Experience

  • Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in Pennsylvania;

  Physical Requirements

  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer;
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

  Neighborhood Legal Services Benefits Include

  • NLS 100% paid healthcare through Highmark that includes prescription and dental coverage;
  • NLS 100% paid Life/ADD, Long-term Disability, Short-term Disability Insurance;
  • NLS paid Health Reimbursement Account (HRA);
  • Contributions to a 403b and/or Roth 403b after one-year of service (optional);
  • Options that you may choose to purchase or contribute to include:
    • Vision Insurance;
    • FSA – Medical Account;
    • FSA - Dependent Care Account;
    • Qualified Transportation Election;
  • Paid Time Off: (pro-rated first year)
    • 15 vacation days;
    • 14 sick days;
    • 3 Personal Days;
    • 15 Holidays;

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