Homeless Youth Staff Attorney

Overview of Position:

The Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEV), seeks a staff attorney dedicated to providing legal services to homeless youth/young adults and those at risk of homelessness in our South Hampton Roads service area. Founded in 1966, LASEV is a non-profit public interest law firm serving low-income clients in a variety of civil legal matters. Our mission is to promote the equal application of justice and remove impediments to fairness for the low-income and vulnerable families of eastern Virginia. We strive to both meet the individual legal needs of our clients and to challenge systemic injustice and the root causes of poverty and inequality. This grant funded position is within our Disability Rights Unit/Homeless Outreach Project (DRU/HOP) unit, located in our Norfolk office. This position works in partnership with a dedicated homeless youth advocate and reports to the Managing Attorney of DRU/HOP. A passion for justice and a commitment to poverty law is a must.

Key Responsibilities:

Advise and represent individuals in a variety of civil legal matters, including but not limited to housing, family law, consumer, public benefits, unemployment, expungements, name and gender marker changes, and disability matters.

Conduct all aspects of litigation, including client interviews, discovery, motions, and hearings.

Manage a caseload of individual clients while working in partnership with a dedicated homeless youth advocate on all cases.

Conduct extensive regular outreach within the community, including street outreach, homeless and domestic violence shelters, food pantries, libraries, community centers, and other locations serving homeless youth/young adults and those at risk of homelessness as identified.

Develop know-your-rights materials and conduct legal educational events targeted to youth throughout South Hampton Roads.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to collaborate and work in partnership with a dedicated advocate and within a team of attorneys and support staff.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Attention to detail and ability to multi-task.

Flexibility and problem solving, especially as it relates to identifying homeless youth within the community, staying in touch with them, and reducing barriers to access services.

Commitment to poverty law and sensitivity to the challenges facing homeless and low-income populations.

Education & Experience:

Must be a member of the Virginia State Bar in good standing, eligible to waive in as a Virginia Legal Aid Counsel by having at least two years’ experience in good standing in another state bar, or sitting for the July 2024 Virginia state bar exam.

Experience working with homeless individuals or youth/young adults preferred.

Salary & Benefits:

Annual salary: DOE, starting at $67,000.

Benefits: Excellent benefits package including health/dental/vision, disability and retirement benefits. 

This position is full time (37.5 hours per week), exempt.

LASEV is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status, and strongly encourage candidates who identify as people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and/or gender nonconforming to apply.

Next Steps:

If you are interested in this position, please email your resume and a cover letter to our Administrator, Sherry Harrison, at sherryh@laseva.org.