Job Announcement
Position: Housing Quality Attorney
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota seeks to hire a Housing Quality (HQ) Attorney at its Duluth office.
Organization:
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM) provides legal representation to low-income and senior citizens in 11 counties with offices in Duluth, Grand Rapids, Virginia, Brainerd, and Pine City. In the years since LASNEM was founded, we have become an integral part of the justice system and a cornerstone of Northeastern Minnesota’s commitment to the proposition that equal access to justice is a basic human right. In addition to a full range of general poverty law services, LASNEM operates special projects to focus on the unique needs of the clients we serve, such as the Senior Law Project, the Native American Outreach Project in Itasca County, Domestic Violence Courts in both Crow Wing and Itasca Counties, and integral work for partnerships to prevent homelessness. LASNEM is also one of the seven legal services programs that form the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition.
In every case that we handle, our goal is always to help our clients reach sustainable, holistic resolutions to the problems they face. Legal problems do not arise in a vacuum, nor does resolving a legal matter always achieve the client’s goals of safety, stability, and opportunity. To that end, we work closely with a large number of community partners all across our service area to more holistically address client needs; working in tandem with our community partners often sparks a virtuous cycle of success for our mutual clients.
Position Description:
The Housing Quality (HQ) Attorney will work primarily in LASNEM’s Housing Quality Improvement Project. The mission of the project is to (1) improve the quality of the rental housing stock and (2) prevent housing loss due to rental housing habitability issues facing low-income residents in Northeastern Minnesota. This project is supported by funds from the Bank of America settlement with the Department of Justice. The current grant has 8 months remaining, and then a potential renewal for another two years. The HQ Attorney will work out of the Duluth office, but may provide services and support for relevant matters in any part of our service area.
The project is based on a historical problem with substandard housing conditions for low-income residents. Many landlords who rent to low-income individuals will not make repairs because the tenants are unable to effectively advocate for themselves. The available legal actions, the rent escrow action and tenant remedies action, do have pro se forms available, but they are fairly complex and burdensome proceedings. Without an attorney to represent them, most tenants choose to simply move. Due to the shortage of affordable housing, landlords are then able to re-rent problem units without making needed repairs. As a result, the housing stock remains substandard. This cycle contributes to housing instability for low income tenants. When disputes develop over code violations, tenants often withhold rent on their own, which results in eviction. Landlords will often terminate the tenancy of a tenant who complains about a lack of repairs. When a building loses essential utilities, either because of lack of repairs or because a landlord does not pay, tenants must find alternative housing with little warning.
The HQ Attorney will focus on rental housing habitability cases and get involved at early stages rather than waiting for the unit to become condemnable. The HQ Attorney will provide legal advice, outreach to tenants in distressed buildings or mobile home parks, and represent tenants in rent escrow, tenant remedies, and eviction actions involving habitability issues. The HQ attorney will also have the capacity to undertake major cases involving multi-unit housing and groups of tenants, seeking the appointment of receivers to collect rent and make necessary repairs. Aside from direct client service, the HQ attorney will provide community education and outreach to tenants and landlords, provide continuing legal education training to volunteer attorneys through the local pro bono program, and conduct rent escrow pro se clinics.
Qualifications:
Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota or eligible for admission by motion or reciprocity. Previous experience in housing law is preferred but not required. Demonstrable awareness and sensitivity to the needs of the population we serve and the project’s mission is necessary. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, working vehicle, and willingness to travel to court proceedings, outreach opportunities, staff meetings and trainings. Excellent written and communication skills, an ability to work constructively with others, and an ability and willingness to work hard and exercise good judgment are all necessary qualifications for this position. Applicants must be flexible and able to accept additional duties as necessary.
Compensation:
DOE pursuant to salary scale. LASNEM offers a comprehensive benefits package with excellent health/dental/life/disability insurance; 403(b) retirement plan; exceptionally generous and flexible paid time off; and LASNEM observes all federal holidays.
Deadline to Apply: October 22, 2018
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three references via email only to:
Dori Streit, Executive Director,
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
424 W. Superior St., Suite 302
Duluth, MN 55802
dstreit@lasnem.org
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, religion, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age or veterans’ status is not permitted.
Job Announcement
Position: Legal Assistant
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota seeks to fill the position for Legal Assistant at its Duluth Office. The Duluth Office provides civil legal services to eligible individuals in Carlton, Cook, Lake, and Southern St. Louis Counties.
Organization:
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM) provides legal representation to low-income and senior citizens in 11 counties with offices in Duluth, Grand Rapids, Virginia and satellite offices in Brainerd and Pine City. LASNEM was founded in 1952, and has become an integral part of the justice system and a cornerstone of Northeastern Minnesota’s commitment to the proposition that equal access to justice is a basic human right. In addition to a full range of general poverty law services, LASNEM operates special projects to focus on the unique needs of the clients we serve, such as the Senior Law Project, the Native American Outreach Project in Itasca County, Domestic Violence Courts in both Crow Wing and Itasca Counties, and integral work for partnerships to prevent homelessness. LASNEM is also one of the seven legal services programs that form the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition.
In every case that we handle, our goal is always to help our clients reach sustainable, holistic resolutions to the problems they face. Legal problems do not arise in a vacuum, nor does resolving a legal matter always achieve the client’s goals of safety, stability and opportunity. To that end, we work closely with a large number of community partners all across our service area. Working in tandem with our community partners can often spark a virtuous cycle of success for our mutual clients.
Responsibilities:
The Legal Assistant provides intake services to potential clients, prepares documents and correspondence requiring a knowledge of legal terminology and performs a variety of other administrative tasks to support the legal work to staff attorneys and paralegals with their representation of low-income individuals in all areas of poverty law, such as family law, orders for protection, landlord/tenant disputes, evictions, utilities, public benefits, consumer, expungement and other civil matters.
Position responsibilities include:
- Professional and respectful communication with potential clients, clients and co-workers, in person, on the phone and in written communications;
- Complete phone and electronic intake with potential clients to determine eligibility for LASNEM’s services, and provide follow up with case handlers and potential clients;
- Provide back-up support to the other Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Attorneys and
- Administration;
- Utilize the case management system to screen applicants, accurately process client intakes and perform other tasks as needed;
- Answer and route telephone calls and take messages accurately;
- Provide information to clients and the general public regarding LASNEM’s services;
- Acquire knowledge of LASNEM’s services and community resources in order to make appropriate legal and non-legal referrals;
- Provide clerical support to legal staff to include typing letters, reports and other materials;
- Assist with data input, filing and other requests;
- Assist with community legal education work under the supervision of a case handler;
- Open and route incoming office mail, and deliver and process outgoing mail;
- Make bank deposits and run errands as needed;
- Fill-in for other staff as needed; and
- Other duties assigned by the Managing Attorney or Agency Directors.
Qualifications:
Previous experience in areas of poverty law is preferred but not required. Demonstrable awareness and sensitivity to the needs of the populations we serve is necessary.
Good interpersonal communication skills are required to work with clients and the general public, and to provide a professional and respectful experience to clients. The Legal Assistant must have the ability to problem solve quickly and work with a fast pace. The Legal Assistant must exercise judgment in implementing established policies and procedures and maintaining confidentiality of all information in the office. The person must be fluent in English, have good typing skills, and have skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
The person must have knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and processes and good oral and written communication skills. The person must have the ability to work cooperatively with other staff, the ability to analyze and solve problems, database skills, and the ability to gather data, compile information and prepare reports.
The Legal Assistant must be courteous, punctual, honest, motivated, trustworthy, have a willingness to grow professionally, and be professional in appearance and demeanor.
Applicants must be flexible and willing to accept additional duties as necessary.
Compensation:
Depending on experience, pursuant to the salary scale. LASNEM offers a comprehensive benefits package with excellent health/dental/life/disability insurance; 403(b) retirement plan; exceptionally generous and flexible paid time off; and LASNEM observes all federal holidays.
DEADLINE: The deadline to apply is Friday, October 19th
Please submit a cover letter, resume and list of three references via email only to:
Dori Streit, Executive Director,
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
424 W. Superior St., Suite 302
Duluth, MN 55802
dstreit@lasnem.org
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, religion, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age or veterans’ status is not permitted.
Job Announcement
Position: Staff Attorney
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota seeks to fill the position for staff attorney at its Grand Rapids Office. The Grand Rapids Office provides civil legal services to eligible individuals in Itasca, Aitkin and Cass counties.
Organization:
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM) provides legal representation to low-income and senior citizens in 11 counties with offices in Duluth, Grand Rapids, Virginia and satellite offices in Brainerd and Pine City. In the 66 years since LASNEM was founded, we have become an integral part of the justice system and a cornerstone of Northeastern Minnesota’s commitment to the proposition that equal access to justice is a basic human right. In addition to a full range of general poverty law services, LASNEM operates special projects to focus on the unique needs of the clients we serve, such as the Senior Law Project, the Native American Outreach Project in Itasca County, Domestic Violence Courts in both Crow Wing and Itasca Counties, and integral work for partnerships to prevent homelessness. LASNEM is also one of the seven legal services programs that form the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition.
In every case that we handle, our goal is always to help our clients reach sustainable, holistic resolutions to the problems they face. Legal problems do not arise in a vacuum, nor does resolving a legal matter always achieve the client’s goals of safety, stability and opportunity. To that end, we work closely with a large number of community partners all across our service area. Working in tandem with our community partners can often spark a virtuous cycle of success for our mutual clients.
Responsibilities:
The staff attorney position at the Grand Rapids location requires the representing low-income individuals in all areas of poverty law, such as family law, orders for protection, landlord/tenant disputes, evictions, utilities, public benefits, consumer, expungement and other civil matters. The types of services provided include legal advice, brief service or extended representation. Aside from direct services, the staff attorney position requires preparing and delivering client and attorney training and other community education; conducting intake and outreach; appearing in administrative and judicial forums; active bar participation and special legal and community projects impacting low income clients.
The staff attorney position is currently one of two attorney positions housed at the Grand Rapids office. The staff attorney’s work will be supported by staff in the Grand Rapids office, and the staff attorney will be supervised by the Director of Advocacy, who is based in another LASNEM branch office. Therefore, the staff attorney must have strong communication skills and willingness to connect virtually, electronically, in person or on the phone with their fellow team members. Training, mentoring and support will be consistently available for the new staff attorney at the Grand Rapids office by both the Director of Advocacy and fellow LASNEM attorneys and paralegals.
Qualifications:
Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota or eligible for admission by motion or reciprocity. Previous experience in poverty law is preferred but not required. Demonstrable awareness and sensitivity to the needs of the populations we serve is necessary. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, working vehicle and willingness to travel to court proceedings, outreach opportunities, staff meetings and trainings. Excellent written and communication skills, ability to work constructively with others, ability and willingness to work hard, good judgment and willingness to work independently are all necessary qualifications for this position. Applicants must be flexible and willing to accept additional duties as necessary.
Compensation:
Pursuant to salary scale and depending on experience.
LASNEM offers excellent health, vacation and 403(b) benefits.
LASNEM attorneys may also be eligible for LRAP (http://lrapmn.org) and federal student loan forgiveness programs.
More information available upon request.
Deadline to Apply: Monday, October 15, 2018.
Please submit a cover letter, resume and list of three references via email only to:
Dori Streit, Executive Director,
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
424 W. Superior St., Suite 302
Duluth, MN 55802
dstreit@lasnem.org
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, religion, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age or veterans’ status is not permitted.