Staff Attorney-Veterans Issues (William Booth Legal Aid Clinic)

Position Summary: The Staff Attorney will assist the Clinic Director in providing legal services to Military Veterans and other clients throughout Metropolitan Detroit in practice areas ranging from criminal law to consumer rights, family law, landlord-tenant disputes, veterans benefits, and more. This Staff Attorney position will be designated to handle Military Veterans in addition to working with other clients, staff members, and interns in office settings, court proceedings and various outreach programs. The Staff Attorney will not maintain any form of outside practice and will not represent private clients or take any new clients without Director's approval. There is no requirement for billable hours and a healthy work-life balance is encouraged. WBLAC is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Essential Responsibilities:

Through free legal assistance and community legal education, our designated Veteran Staff Attorney will bring hope, dignity, and justice to low-income veterans and other vulnerable Metro-Detroit residents. Legal assistance at WBLAC ranges from advice and brief service to full representation before administrative agencies and state trial courts. Our Veteran Staff Attorney will appear in court and serve clients out in the community through targeted outreach events. The Veteran Staff Attorney will be given an opportunity for professional growth through a wide variety of responsibilities:

• Acting as point person for all Veteran clients and issues.
• Interviewing and providing legal advice to clients.
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents.
• Conducting legal research and analysis.
• Representing clients in court proceedings.
• Negotiating settlements and agreements.
• Preparing and filing legal documents with the court.
• Attending hearings, depositions, mediations, and other meetings.
• Maintaining client confidentiality.
• Communicate with clients, internal staff, and others to ensure cases are handled appropriately.
• Prioritize and manage a high volume of files with a great attention to detail and under strict deadlines.
• Perform quality control reviews of documents and staff work.
• Demonstrate a proficiency in inputting and maintaining information into a case management system to ensure data integrity.
• Provide supervision for law student interns and externs.
• Assist in all educational roles.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and adjusting WBLAC's outreach strategies.
• Represent The Salvation Army William Booth Legal Aid Clinic at specific outreach functions.
• Assist in fundraising for and promotion of the WBLAC.
• Assist and support Clinic Director, as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

• Be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan with an interest in issues affecting Military Veterans.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to work independently

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Certificates and Licenses:

• Complete Safe From Harm and keep current as required.
• Must have a current valid driver's license and pass the Salvation Army Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR)