Contract Staff Attorney – Portland Regional Office

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is seeking an attorney for a two-year contract position in its Portland Regional Office. This position is open due to new grant funding. This position is eligible for a partial remote work option.

Background
LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs focused on services to farmworkers and on issues impacting Native Americans. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program that is committed to advocacy strategies having the broadest possible impact on client community problems.  

The Portland Regional Office of LASO serves a poverty population of more than 220,000. The office serves Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Sherman and Wasco counties, a diverse service area requiring the ability to work effectively with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds. The Portland Office has adopted a race equity agenda to guide its work with clients as well as its internal operations. The office has a strong commitment to building an inclusive, diverse workplace. 

Responsibilities
The staff attorney will be responsible for maintaining a varied litigation-focused poverty law caseload that will contain family law focusing on domestic violence and protective orders, housing law, elder law, employment law and other substantive areas as assigned by the Regional Director based on priority setting.  The attorney will handle all aspects of legal representation including initial client contact, pleading preparation, research, file maintenance, working with support staff, and hearing and trial work. 

Qualifications
3+ years of litigation practice in Oregon. Current Oregon State Bar membership is required. Proven interest in and commitment to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income and other vulnerable populations. Demonstrated enthusiasm, creativity, good judgment, initiative, and willingness to work as a team. Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred but not required.

Salary/Benefits
Compensation is based on a 35-hour work week. Salary range is $66,200 – 73,700 for 0-5 years’ experience; $75,200 – 81,200 for 6-10 years’ experience and $82,700 - $105,200 for 11-30 years’ experience annually; salaries are determined by relevant work experience and our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Additional $4,300 to $5,700 annually for bilingual ability, depending on proficiency. Full benefits package including individual and family health, vision, and dental insurance coverage; 6% employer retirement contribution; generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave; and paid moving expenses.  

Closing Date
Review of resumes to begin July 15, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

Applications
Send resume and letter of interest to:

Emily Brown-Sitnick

projobs@lasoregon.org

Supplemental question
LASO is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for our staff and clients. How have your personal background and experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to our commitment to cultural responsiveness and diversity?

If you require reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application/hiring process, please contact Meghan Collins, Director of Administration, at Meghan.Collins@lasoregon.org.

We celebrate diversity
LASO is committed to being an organization that reflects the communities we serve and is diverse in race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental and physical abilities, work background, experience and education. We believe that the outcome of such diversity is our greatest strength and a matter of basic human fairness. It is to this end that we strongly encourage applications from people of color and people from any other underrepresented and historically marginalized group to apply for this position.

https://lasoregon.org/employment/