Staff Attorney- Lasting Solutions Family Law Program

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Lasting Solutions Family Law Program

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (Legal Services), a nonprofit law firm providing free, quality civil legal services, seeks a full-time Staff Attorney for its Lasting Solutions Family Law Program. Legal Services advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services. We partner with the community to improve lives, promote fairness, and create opportunities for those in need.

The Staff Attorney will provide representation to low-income individuals who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence in orders of protection, divorce, custody, and paternity cases in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County. In addition to direct client representation, this position may involve systemic advocacy on issues relating to domestic violence and sexual assault.

Lasting Solutions consists of an interdisciplinary team offering holistic advocacy and is co-managed by an attorney and a social worker. The Staff Attorney will work in close collaboration with the other attorneys, social workers, and paralegals on Lasting Solutions to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault in our community.

Responsibilities

• All aspects of family law litigation, including client interviews, drafting pleadings, discovery, fact-gathering, and courtroom advocacy
• Managing a caseload of diverse domestic violence survivors
• Conducting legal research and analysis as needed
• Carrying out community outreach and presentations in coordination with the LSP team and community partners
• Working collaboratively with Lasting Solutions’ staff, other Legal Services programs, and community partners serving this population
• Supervising law student interns

• JD and admitted to practice in Missouri (or eligible to be admitted)
• Experiences working in family law and with survivors of domestic or sexual violence preferred, but not required
• Ability to build relationships with clients and community programs across lines of difference, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, gender identity, and citizenship status
• Strong litigation, advocacy, communication and work ethic
• Open to creative and innovative ways of fulfilling the legal aid mission

This position is subject to a background screening through the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR). As a condition of employment, finalists must:

• Register with the FCSR using the state’s Background Screening and Employee Eligibility System (BSEES) portal before a screening can be completed.
• Provide the information required by the state to register (including a Social Security Number (SSN) and other identifying details).
• Request their FCSR background screening results after registration and submit a copy of the results to us by the stated deadline.

Employment is contingent upon timely completion of the FCSR process and results that meet role eligibility standards. More information about the FCSR.

What we do

LSEM advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services. We partner with the community to improve lives, promote fairness, and create opportunities for those in need. Since 1956, LSEM has provided high-quality civil legal assistance and equal access to justice for low-income people in 21 counties in Missouri. We accomplish our mission through systemic advocacy/impact litigation and individual case work in a wide range of substantive civil areas which are in our priorities, e.g., family law for victims of domestic violence, prevention of homelessness/housing, health, public benefits, consumer, education, disability, community economic development, and immigration. As part of our community education/outreach efforts, LSEM works with over 150 agencies and participates in over 35 task forces/coalitions and has a vibrant Volunteer Lawyers Program.

Who we are

At Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, we embrace a culture that celebrates and promotes the many backgrounds, heritages, and perspectives of our colleagues and clients. We seek to hire individuals from a variety of backgrounds, who are professional, collaborative, and creative thinkers with a passion for our mission, and create an environment where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will make employment decisions based on merit.

How to Apply

Upload your resume and cover letter through our online application. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Salary & Benefits Information

The salary range for this position is $66,000-$99,000. Specific salary offered to a candidate will be based on their experience. There are opportunities for advancement, including raises. Excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, a generous time off policy (starting at 4 weeks per year), 11 paid holidays, 12 weeks paid parental leave, 403(b) and 401(a) retirement plans, long-term disability and life insurance, employee assistance plan, and flexible spending accounts.

Submission Deadline

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Equal access to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s office is available. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact Human Resources at the e-mail View email address on ziprecruiter.com. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.