Staff Attorney - Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

About the role

SeniorLAW Center is a dynamic nonprofit public interest legal services organization whose mission is to seek justice for older people by using the power of the law, educating the community, and advocating on local, statewide and national levels. We are the only non-profit agency in Pennsylvania wholly dedicated to providing legal assistance to older persons and protecting their legal rights, and one of few in the nation. SeniorLAW Center prioritizes services to older people who are low-income, cultural, and racial minorities, the disabled, victims of crime and family violence, and those facing other vulnerabilities and challenges.

Responsibilities

• Client-related (Project-Based)
  • Provide civil legal assistance to older adults with custody or dependency issues, including, but not limited to:
    • filing and/or representing in child custody petitions or related litigation;
    • filing and/or representing in protection from abuse matters on behalf of the minor child(ren);
    • providing advice, brief services and referrals to older adults with child custody or dependency matters and related issues;
    • providing information, support, and advocacy with related criminal proceedings that may impact civil litigation, collaborating with the police and District Attorneys, as necessary;
    • working with legal advocate to provide appropriate social service referrals and support to older adults who care for minor children;
    • assisting with maintenance of resources and referral information for grandfamilies;
    • assisting with GRG focused community clinics;
    • assisting with GRG focused client council;
    • assisting with pro bono recruitment, training, and other pro bono case processes, including, but not limited to: assisting with preparation of case files and advising pro bono volunteers as needed.
• Systemic Advocacy (Project-Based)
  • Identify systemic problems affecting older Pennsylvanians related to grandfamilies and work with local, statewide and national partners to develop creative solutions;
  • participate in quarterly Learning Community meetings with co-grantees under the William Penn Foundation grant, and participate in monthly check-ins with Generations United, technical assistance provider under William Penn Foundation grant.
• Client-related (Role-Based)
  • Handle all aspects of client representation, including, but not limited to:
    • screening and interviewing walk-in and/or emergency clients;
    • conducting client interviews by telephone or in person to give legal opinion or recommend a case is accepted for further services;
    • filing necessary court documents timely;
    • analyzing facts to prepare appropriate case strategies;
    • preparing for all court appearances;
    • assessing holistic legal needs of clients and making referrals internally and externally;
    • providing technical assistance to staff and volunteer attorneys;
    • retrieving, transcribing, and performing prescreen data entry in the case management system as needed;
    • preparing and mailing retainers and letters;
    • drafting court documents;
    • communicating with clients or third parties via telephone, email, text message or other means;
    • preparing case files for hearing/trial;
    • maintaining case files and case management database;
    • conducting home visits to frail or homebound clients;
    • handling other case or client related tasks as necessary.
  • Utilize Language line or other interpretation services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) older adults;
  • provide information and referrals to older adults related to custodial issues, linking them to other resources and supportive services, including emergency financial assistance, support groups, health services and other resources.
• Community Outreach and Education
  • Represent SeniorLAW Center at professional committees/coalitions related to grandparent custodial issues;
  • develop and present legal education workshops to older adults, caregivers, aging networks, the legal community, and medical professionals about grandparent custodial issues;
  • aid in the development of educational materials and resources for older adults on custodial issues and “best practices” resources for professionals;
  • aid in planning, organizing, and attending community outreach and tabling events;
  • assist with community clinics focused on adult guardianship issues;
  • coordinate with Project Director to update website, E-News, and other communication tools with project related information.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Participate in scheduled project-related meetings;
  • participate in staff and Legal team meetings;
  • provide support to other colleagues agency-wide as needed;
  • assist with on-boarding staff as needed;
  • become knowledgeable of and follow all SeniorLAW Center’s personnel and legal policies and procedures;
  • demonstrate and model commitment to SeniorLAW Center’s mission and values;
  • assist with quality control and case management data collection and reporting as necessary;
  • participate in SeniorLAW Center’s culture of philanthropy and events to support the organization;
  • other responsibilities to further mission of the project and organization.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor;
• active member of the Pennsylvania Bar in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with older adults;
• experience representing in dependency and/or family court proceedings;
• second language proficiency preferred;
• courtroom experience.

Skills and Behaviors

• Must be a motivated self-starter;
• must possess high-quality advocacy and negotiating skills;
• highly professional, organized, energetic, flexible, and culturally sensitive;
• excellent writing, organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills;
• interest and ability to work with older people and persons of different backgrounds.

Benefits

• Fully paid health and dental for employee;
• long- and short-term disability;
401k;
• flexible spending plan;
• generous holidays and leave time, with a value of over $20,000.

Pay

Salary range is commensurate with years of experience and SeniorLAW Center’s salary structure: starting salary $66,000.

Schedule

Full-time exempt hybrid position based in Philadelphia; hours 9 AM–5 PM; hybrid with currently minimum 2 days per week in-office requirement; one day per week in the Philadelphia office (subject to increase); travel as needed.