Staff Attorney - City of Chester Office (Nonprofit Legal Services)

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

LEGAL AID OF SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, INC.

Job Announcement
Staff Attorney – City of Chester Office (Nonprofit Legal Services)

Location: City of Chester (Delaware County), PA – Hybrid
Schedule: Full-Time
Salary: Minimum $63,000, commensurate with experience

Why Join Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP)?

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) is a nonprofit legal services organization dedicated to providing high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families. Serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, LASP is committed to advancing equity, justice, and stability for vulnerable communities through excellent advocacy and client-centered representation.

Position Summary

LASP seeks a Staff Attorney to join its City of Chester Office in Delaware County. This position provides civil legal services to low-income clients, with a primary focus on landlord–tenant and housing matters, including private rentals, subsidized and public housing, and related litigation, as well as family law. The position may also include representation in other LASP practice areas such as bankruptcy, consumer law, expungements, public benefits, and other cases as assigned.

Staff work on a hybrid basis and are expected to perform both in-office and remote work.

Supervision

Reports To: Chester City Managing Attorney

Key Responsibilities

CASEHANDLING AND DIRECT SERVICES DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interviewing clients, determining eligibility for services, and investigating facts.
• Conducting legal research and interpreting statutes, regulations, and case law.
• Providing legal advice and counsel to clients.
• Preparing legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, motions, notices, correspondence, memoranda, and discovery.
• Developing litigation strategies and assisting with witness preparation.
• Representing clients in trial and appellate courts and before administrative and quasi-judicial agencies.
• Reviewing decisions and consulting with management regarding potential appeals.
• Participating in external professional and community organizations related to casework.
• Conducting clinics, community education programs, and workshops.
• Engaging in LASP team efforts to achieve office and program goals, including participating in affinity groups and task forces.
• Developing knowledge of community referral resources and assessing client and community needs.
• Enhancing skills and substantive knowledge through training, CLE, and professional development opportunities.
• Adhering to all applicable professional standards of ethics and practice.
• Completing administrative tasks, including timekeeping, case notes, and maintaining electronic and physical files in LASP’s case management system.
• Ensuring compliance with grant and contract requirements and assisting with reporting as needed.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in Pennsylvania.
• At least two (2) years of legal experience preferred.
• Strong interest in housing, landlord–tenant, and civil litigation for low-income clients.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and serving vulnerable populations.
• Excellent written, oral advocacy, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, case management systems, and online legal research tools.
• Willingness to accept complex and challenging cases and develop creative strategies to assist clients.

Compensation and Benefits

LASP offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including:

• Employer-funded 401(k) with generous contributions
• Health insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums
• Ancillary benefits
• Generous paid leave, including holidays, floating holidays, vacation, sick, personal, and parental leave

Equal Opportunity Employer

LASP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.