The Portland Regional Office of Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is seeking a full-time staff attorney. The position is a generalist civil litigator who will handle a general poverty law practice including but not limited to family law, employment discrimination, immigration and public benefits. This position will be 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 provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program that is committed to advocacy strategies having the broadest possible impact on client community problems. LASO is actively working to build an inclusive organizational culture that centers on racial equity. LASO is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a welcoming and culturally responsive environment for our staff and clients.
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.
Responsibilities
The staff attorney will be responsible for conducting trauma-informed intake interviews and maintaining a caseload, including protection order matters. The staff attorney will also handle a range of poverty law cases such as employment discrimination, immigration and public benefits. This attorney is also expected to work closely with community-based organizations as a liaison to LASO for organizations that that serve Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and immigrant communities to receive referrals, identify legal issues important to low-income clients, conduct regular trainings and attend outreach events. In addition to serving individual clients, this attorney is expected to spend substantial time identifying and advancing cases and projects designed to achieve a broad impact on significant problems in the client community.
Qualifications
Proven interest in and commitment to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income Oregonians. Family law experience and/or experience providing trauma-informed services to DV/SA survivors a plus. Enthusiasm, creativity, good judgment, initiative, and willingness to work collaboratively. Demonstrated understanding and commitment to anti-bias principles, cultural competency and addressing systemic racism and other forms of oppression. LASO has a hiring preference for candidates who are bilingual in Spanish and/or another language and are members of the Oregon State Bar.
Salary/Benefits
Compensation is based on a 35-hour work week. Salary range for an attorney is $61K - $100K annually depending on experience. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. 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 on November 18, 2022
Applications
Send resume and letter of interest to:
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
520 SW Sixth Avenue, Suite 700
Portland, OR 97204
projobs@lasoregon.org
Supplemental question
Please provide a written response to the following question and submit as part of your application materials. Limit response to 500 words.
LASO is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. It is essential to our mission that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace environment in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to: (1) serve our diverse client communities effectively, (2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own, (3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients face, and (4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice? Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences in your response.
Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is an effective, high-quality legal services program with a mission to achieve justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. LASO emphasizes areas of law where these needs are greatest and where representation and advocacy can have the most impact for vulnerable Oregonians.