Equal Justic Works Financial Empowerment Project Fellow

Position Title: Equal Justice Works Financial Empowerment Project Fellow

Department: EJW Financial Empowerment Project

Employment Status: Full Time Legal Position through September 30, 2027

Location: Memphis, TN

Supervisor: Director of Special Projects

Prepared: September 29, 2025

Job Summary:

West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc. (WTLS) seeks diverse and dynamic applicants for a 24-month, full-time attorney position at WTLS as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in the Financial Empowerment Project. WTLS provides free civil legal help to low-income West Tennesseans seeking access to basic rights of shelter, financial security, and freedom from abuse. WTLS works with community organizations and client groups to educate communities about civil legal issues and access to justice. Candidates should have a strong commitment to access to equal justice for West Tennesseans who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Equal Justice Works is the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law. The Equal Justice Works Financial Empowerment Project is a pilot initiative that embeds attorney Fellows with Financial Empowerment Centers to protect and transfer generational wealth through both financial and legal guidance. An Equal Justice Works Fellowship is an opportunity to transform your passion for equal justice into a career. As a Fellow, you will help close the racial wealth gap by providing free legal services that focus on estate planning, title clearing, and other asset preservation legal needs.

The Fellow is responsible for the provision of legal services to address legacy planning needs of eligible clients. This position reports to the Director of Special Projects and works closely with the housing and consumer teams.

Duties/Responsibilities:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

Fellow Job Duties:

• Provide direct legal services to Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) clients in the areas of estate planning and asset preservation, including but not limited to, resolving fines and fees, title clearing, and addressing heirs’ property issues
• Develop and conduct training and outreach initiatives for Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) clients, including workshops and clinics developed in partnership with local FECs and community-based organizations
• Build meaningful relationships with community members with a focus on underserved populations, to support their long-term financial goals and promote intergenerational wealth transfer
• Participate in collaborative learning and professional development through active engagement with the Equal Justice Works Financial Empowerment Project cohort, including contributing to resource exchanges, attending mandatory webinars and conference calls, and participating in training events such as the Equal Justice Works Leadership Development Training
• Exercise leadership competencies as an Equal Justice Works Fellow  
• Contribute to required programmatic reporting and overall program evaluation
• Attend training relevant to legacy planning affecting WTLS’ client population as directed by the Director of Special Projects 
• Collaborate with local and state agencies and community partners on legacy planning issues, as permitted by funding 
• Perform case maintenance and office tasks, such as opening and closing cases, deadline system, and filing

General WTLS Duties: 

• Accurately record and update timekeeping entries in real-time, ensuring detailed and precise documentation of work hours, project time allocation, and task completion for reporting and payroll purposes
• Establish and maintain a professional working relationship with staff by facilitating effective communication, promoting teamwork, and providing support to ensure a collaborative and productive work environment
• Participate in staff meetings, board meetings, and other meetings, as requested
• Serve on internal committees, work groups, and other groups to promote and improve organizational operations
• Comply with program policies and regulations of the Legal Services Corporation and other funders
• Comply with relevant portions of the Legal Services Corporation’s Performance Criteria and the American Bar Association’s Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid
• Comply with all applicable organizational, professional, and legal requirements for confidentiality
• Perform other duties as may reasonably be requested

Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job.   

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Tennessee (at the time of hire is preferred or having taken the bar exam and awaiting results)
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively
• Reliable personal transportation and willingness to travel statewide occasionally and to WTLS’ other offices as necessary
• Maintain insurability under WTLS’ group auto policy
• Intermediate to expert proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Success Factors:  

• Demonstrate a commitment to the principle of equal justice and advocacy for low-income people by actively participating in initiatives and projects that promote access to legal services for low-income individuals, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard and respected in all professional activities   
• Treat clients, staff, and the public with dignity and respect
• Appreciate the experiences and needs of people of diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds
• Demonstrate a personal sense of integrity 
• Take ownership of projects and produce solid work products
• Work as a member of a team and independently including willingness to help others (cooperative) and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience
• Address issues in a timely manner
• Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment
• Handle and prioritize multiple, competing demands

Working Conditions:

• Work during office hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A minimum 30-minute break must be taken when at least 6 hours are worked. Work hours must be accurate and contemporaneously recorded. A flextime of work hours may be used, if approved. Your supervisor will consider the needs of the office and the preference of more senior employees before approving flextime. Work after hours or on weekends may be required occasionally.
• Work is performed primarily in an office setting.
• Pursuant to the current telecommuting agreement, may work up to 2 days per week remotely after completion of 90-day probationary period. The scheduled remote days will be determined upon staffing of the position. The telecommuting schedule may be amended with prior approval of the supervisor on an as needed basis. Requests for an amended schedule are contingent on approval from the supervisor and will be determined on a case-by-case basis given the current unit staffing.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Often communicating with people using the phone, email, via video call, or in person.
• Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds.
• Travel within the WTLS service area. A valid Tennessee driver’s license is required.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Compensation: $58,200 This position is a full-time position, and compensation is made according to the WTLS Salary Scale that became effective on April 28, 2025.
• Benefits: Full-time benefits include the ability to participate in WTLS’ health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, LTD, Life Insurance, 401k retirement plan, paid Annual Leave (based on years of employment), paid Sick Leave (12 days per year), paid Holidays (12), and paid week off between Christmas and New Year. 

Fellowship Benefits:

Equal Justice Works Fellows are part of a network of over 2,500 current and former Fellows dedicated to improving access to equal justice for all. As a member of the network, each Fellow has access to:  

• Equal Justice Works’ annual Leadership Development Training  
• Responsive training and technical assistance  
• Regular substantive and skills-based webinars throughout the Fellowship   
• Monthly networking and collaboration sessions with other Fellows   

WTLS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

How to Apply: Apply by visiting https://wkf.ms/3IME6zA. Applicants must include a resume, writing sample, and three references with phone numbers. Applications will be accepted, and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. No inquiries accepted. Only applicants scheduled for interviews will be notified.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $58,200.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person