Pro Bono Coordinator, Staff Attorney – Central Office

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is seeking a full-time staff attorney with a minimum of 2 years of experience. The attorney in this position teams up with two other pro bono attorneys to help manage multiple pro bono projects and a case catalog for direct referrals on legal issues critical to low-income communities. This position is based in Portland, Oregon, and is eligible for a partial remote work option.  

Background

LASO is a non-profit statewide law firm 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 communities. 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.

Responsibilities

The attorney in this position is responsible for creating and maintaining excellent relationships with the private bar and helping to operate pro bono projects. The staff attorney/pro bono coordinator will be responsible for conducting client intake, recruiting, and mentoring pro bono attorneys, coordinating the daily operation of pro bono projects and some contract management. The functions of this position will include advising clients on legal matters but will not generally include representing clients. The attorney in this position will work with LASO Regional Offices, including extensive work with the Portland Regional Office of LASO to develop and support pro bono programs statewide.

Qualifications

Proven interest in and commitment to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income and other vulnerable communities. Enthusiasm, creativity, good judgment, initiative, strong organization skills, and willingness to work collaboratively. Experience coordinating volunteers, project management and knowledge of family law, DV/SA, elder law, consumer, and expungement law is preferred. The applicant must have strong legal advocacy, writing and communication skills. 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. This position requires current membership in a state bar, preferably the Oregon State Bar.

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

This is a re-post; initial resume review to begin on September 13th, 2024.

Applications

Send resume and letter of interest to: probonojobs@lasoregon.org

As a part of your letter of interest, please address the following:

LASO PRO 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. Please address how your personal background and experiences, professional or otherwise, have 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.