Staff Attorney

Legal Aid of Western Missouri
Staff Attorney - Housing
Joplin, Missouri

Legal Aid seeks a full-time staff attorney for its Joplin, Missouri office to handle its housing cases. This position primarily assists low-income clients in public housing matters and private landlord-tenant disputes, including evictions, notices to vacate, housing conditions, discrimination, and other rental housing matters. The attorney in this position will represent clients in administrative and judicial forums, as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent clients in housing-related legal matters including eviction defense, foreclosure, and housing subsidy issues in court, administrative hearings, and negotiation 
• Provide legal advice and counsel to clients on housing-related matters including tenant rights, lease agreements, habitability, and housing assistance 
• Draft and file legal pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents on behalf of clients
• Manage a caseload in compliance with organizational standards 
• Conduct community education and outreach on tenant rights and collaborate with community organizations and social service providers 
• Identify systemic housing issues and pursue advocacy opportunities where appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Active Missouri Bar license or pending bar results
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Desire and commitment to assist in the delivery of high-quality legal assistance

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to speak a second language
• Courtroom experience 
• Knowledge of landlord/tenant law 
• Experience handling housing cases  

Location

This role is an in-person role based in Legal Aid's Joplin, Missouri office. While regular in-office attendance is the expectation for this role, Legal Aid offers flexible work arrangements to support employees in maintaining schedules that enable them to perform at their best.  

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $103,000 on Legal Aid’s formal salary scale. Placement on the range will be based on factors such as years of relevant experience, budget, and internal equity. Employees who demonstrate fluency in a second language are eligible for an annual salary supplement of $3,600. 

Benefits

Legal Aid offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 

• Medical Plans with PPO or HSA options
• Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term disability coverage
• Accident Insurance and Critical Illness Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical or dependent care
• Paid CLE and Bar Dues
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick, Personal and Holidays
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• Travel and parking reimbursement
• 401k and up to 3.5% employer match

Please submit your resume and cover letter at http://www.lawmo.org/careers/current-openings.  

LAWMO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact the Human Resources Department at EEO@lawmo.org.