Medical Legal Partnership/School Partnership Attorney

MEDICAL LEGAL PARTERSHIP/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP ATTORNEY
JOB DESCRIPTION

West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc. (WTLS) has an immediate opening for a Medical Legal
Partnership/School Partnership Attorney in our Jackson, Tennessee office.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: WTLS represents clients in civil legal matters and works with community organizations and client groups. Candidates should have a strong commitment to access to justice for low-income West Tennesseans who face problems affecting basic rights to shelter, income security, financial security, and freedom from abuse.

This position is funded under the Family-Centered Legal Solutions (FCLS) grant with Tennessee
Alliance for Legal Services (TALS). The project’s focus is providing outreach, education, and legal advocacy to low-income families with children. Grant positions are funded through the duration of the grant and subsequent renewal could result in modification of job duties and responsibilities.

SUMMARY: The attorney will work with local school districts, medical providers, and juvenile courts to develop education and referral relationships and meet families where they are. The attorney will focus on providing holistic civil legal services to families with children in the public school system or receiving medical care. As part of a holistic approach, representation may include varying areas of law, administrative advocacy, and litigation in state and federal courts. Case types will include family law, juvenile law, consumer law, health and benefits, access to education, simple estate planning, and other holistic services to stabilize the family unit.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Provide legal advice and representation in civil legal matters affecting low-income families;
• Build education and referral relationships with local school districts, medical providers, and juvenile courts;
• Maintain office hours, as requested, at medical facilities, schools, and courts;
• Provide outreach and education activities for client population;
• Meet the requirements of the Family-Centered Legal Solutions project;
• Keep contemporaneous time records and maintain case notes in case management system;
• Comply with funder requirements, the Legal Services Corporation requirements, and the

American Bar Association’s Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid;

• Perform such other duties as reasonably requested.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job.

1. J.D. Degree;
2. Current licensure in good standing in Tennessee or eligible for reciprocity and willing to secure reciprocity;
3. Background check, including references, that is complete and free of concerns;

4. General practice experience, including litigation experience, or willingness to participate in appropriate trainings;

5. Ability to conduct research and analysis;
6. Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions;
7. Ability to draft legally sufficient pleadings and other legal documents, including creating concise and persuasive arguments;
8. Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations, or administrative proceedings; to give public presentations, conduct trainings, and do client outreach;

9. Experience working with or sensitivity to specialized client populations;
10. Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals from ethnic or language distinct communities;
11. Sufficient computer skills to be able to maintain client records, prepare documents, and maintain contemporaneous time records;
12. Ability to competently use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Adobe

Professional; and
13. Ability to competently use company software packages.

TRAVEL, WORK HOURS, SUPERVISION:
1. Travel: This position routinely requires local travel, which requires a valid State of

Tennessee driver’s license. It also requires travel across the State of Tennessee on a limited basis.

2. Work Hours: This position’s typical work hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., except for holidays. A lunch break of at least 30 minutes must be taken some time between the hours of 11:30-2:00 every day for any day the employee is scheduled to work over 6 hours. Work hours must be accurate and contemporaneously recorded.

3. Supervision: The MLP-School Partnership Attorney is under the supervision of the FCLS
Project Managing Attorney.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
1. Compensation: DOE. Starting salary for newly admitted attorneys is $58,155. This is a full-time position paid bi-monthly on the 5th and 20th of each month.
2. Benefits: Full-time benefits include the ability to participate in WTLS’ health insurance plan, dental plan, LTD, Life Insurance, paid Annual Leave (based on years of experience starting at 1 day earned per month), paid Sick Leave (12 days per year), and all paid
Holidays (11 the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day).

HOW TO APPLY: Send applications via email in Word or PDF format to Hiring@wtls.org .
Applicants must include a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references with phone numbers. Applications will be accepted and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. No inquiries accepted. Only applicants scheduled for interviews will be notified.

WTLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $58,155.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Jackson, TN 38301: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person