Staff Attorney - Housing And Community Economic Development

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non-profit law firm. Our mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), also a regional non-profit law firm that provides legal assistance.

Job Summary:

The HCED Practice Group takes a community lawyering approach to litigation and policy advocacy by providing legal support to neighborhood residents seeking to build healthy, economically vibrant communities and advocating for - and with - tenants and tenant organizations to enforce and enact housing laws. The Staff Attorney will work with attorneys, paralegals, community organizers, and social workers to provide direct legal assistance to communities targeted to address challenges of low-income residents and empower them to bring about positive change. ABLE’s service area covers 32 counties in western Ohio. We aim to uplift client voices in our advocacy, utilizing community and movement lawyering, litigation, policy advocacy, individual legal services, and community organizing. 

This position will implement legal strategies designed to improve neighborhoods, increase opportunities for healthy housing and economic viability, and expand and protect tenants’ rights across ABLE’s service area. If you want to use your legal skills to challenge the policies and practices that perpetuate poverty and racial injustice and join a team of similarly motivated staff, then we encourage you to apply.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned):

• Engage client communities and address identified legal needs to alleviate poverty and address systemic racism in targeted neighborhoods
• Collaborate and advocate with impacted community members to further issues identified by community leaders, using community lawyering approach.
• Provide high-quality legal assistance to eligible clients through advice, counsel, negotiation, litigation, administrative representation, and community education.
• Maintain a good working knowledge of procedures for federal, state, and local courts and administrative agencies.
• Develop a strong understanding of substantive laws relevant to assigned practice groups.
• Handle a reasonable volume of cases and advocacy projects commensurate with skill and experience.
• Actively participate in practice group initiatives to implement Strategic Advocacy Initiatives.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with courts, bar associations, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in resolving complaints and grievances from applicants and clients.
• Complete required administrative tasks, including time records and case reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

SCOPE & IMPACT:

The Staff Attorney plays a critical role in advancing ABLE's mission by providing legal representation to vulnerable communities, advocating for systemic change, and promoting equal justice and opportunity.

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio or eligible for admission by motion, temporary certification, or passage of the next bar examination.
• Strong commitment to ABLE’s mission, Strategic Advocacy Initiatives, and poverty law.
• Excellent legal, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in interagency cooperation, collaboration, and community engagement.
• Familiarity with movement lawyering and community lawyering models.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• May supervise paralegals or legal assistants as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in a normal office environment.
• Requires frequent sitting, keyboarding, and face-to-face or phone communication.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable.
• May require walking several blocks or overnight travel.
• New staff are required to work in the office full-time during their first 90 days of employment. Following this onboarding period, a hybrid work schedule is available with a minimum of two in-office days per week.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND WORK LOCATION:

ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The annual salary range for this position starts at $68,000.00. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, supplemental language compensation, loan repayment assistance for attorneys through the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and paid parental leave. This position is based out of our Dayton, Ohio office.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. ABLE can revise or eliminate the requirements and responsibilities of this position at any time to reflect its needs and objectives. ABLE will notify affected employees of any changes and the effective date of such changes.

TO APPLY: Please visit to submit your application. The position will remain open until it is filled.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at View email address on thenonprofitnetwork.org.