Staff Attorney (202401-270)

Mission and Vision: Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. Legal Aid is an innovative, creative, progressive, and efficient civil legal service provider to the poor, working towards an inclusive justice system of equal access. All voices are valued, heard, and respected.

Why Join Legal Aid? Are you committed to the idea that all people deserve access to justice in our legal system? Do you want to use your talents to do deeply meaningful work, serve those experiencing poverty and work with a respected and impactful organization?

Legal Aid of North Carolina is theonly statewide legal services organization serving low-income people in all 100 counties. It is the third largest law firm in North Carolina, employing 230 lawyers, 425 staff and serving over 40,000 people each year. Legal Aid has offices in 23 counties in the state.

In addition to providing direct legal services, Legal Aid assists thousands of people every year in enrolling in health insurance coverage and provides other critical needs to those experiencing poverty.

Legal Aid lawyers and staff work closely with clients, devising strategies and pursuing legal remedies that help clients obtain successful outcomes. Many lawyers gain significant courtroom experience, trying cases, arguing motions, and even pursuing appeals in North Carolina’s appellate court. Other lawyers, paralegals and staff handle transactional matters, for example by helping seniors with wills and other advanced directives. In whatever capacity you choose to join us, we can promise that Legal Aid delivers a life-changing experience, both for you and for your clients.

Position Summary: Legal Aid seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to work in the Smoky Mountain Offices (offices in Sylva and Murphy), which provides free legal assistance in civil matters to low-income clients residing in Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Clay, Cherokee, and Graham Counties and in the territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This position will focus on family related legal work (domestic violence, custody, etc.), but the selected applicant will have the opportunity to be trained and practice in multiple areas of law, including housing, public benefits, consumer, education, and employment matters.

Job Description: The Staff Attorney will:

• Provide direct legal services to clients primarily in family related matters, as well as in other program areas as resources allow.
• Interview clients and identify their legal problems.
• Devise strategies for resolving client legal matters.
• Represent clients in courtroom hearings.
• Write and argue motions.
• Draft pleadings and other legal papers.
• Draft and engage in discovery.
• Provide community education and outreach in impacted communities.
• Represent Legal Aid in the community served by engaging with the legal community.
• Have opportunities for participation and leadership in statewide and local bar associations.

Qualifications: Candidates applying for this position should have the following qualifications:

• A passion to serve low-income clients.
• A commitment to the mission and values of Legal Aid of North Carolina.
• A commitment to, appreciation for and understanding of organizational values around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• A juris doctorate and a license to practice law in the State of North Carolina.
• Good communication skills.
• Strong writing skills.
• Prior legal services experience is a plus.
• No pending North Carolina State Bar disciplinary proceedings.

Salary and Employee Benefits: The salary range for this position is competitive and will be commensurate with the candidate’s competencies and experience. Legal Aid of North Carolina provides excellent health, retirement, disability, and leave benefits. Employee medical, vision, dental, and life insurance premiums are covered at 100% by the employer. Discretionary 401(k) contributions with no match required. Paid leave includes 1.75 days per month (21 leave days in the first two years; 30 days in subsequent years), 12 paid holidays, two floating holidays, and other paid leave.

Vaccinations: Legal Aid of North Carolina requires that employees have a COVID-19 vaccination, subject to reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons, or as otherwise required by law.

Are you the next Staff Attorney in our Smoky Mountain Office? To apply for this position, submit a cover letter, resume, references, and any other materials that you wish to be considered to the Managing Attorney of the Smoky Mountain Offices, Suzanne Saucier, at suzannes@legalaidnc.org.

Legal Aid of North Carolina is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All are welcome to apply. Selection will be based on relevant qualifications and will be made without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, genetic information, disability, marital status, familial status, service in the military or any other legally protected category. We thrive when we are diverse and inclusive therefore, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organizational culture and hiring. We highly encourage candidates with lived experience, in the communities that we serve, to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,500.00 - $83,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person