Family Law Staff Attorney

Job Summary: West Tennessee Legal Services (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.

The Family Law Staff Attorney ensures the provision of high-quality legal services in family law matters to low-income clients in Shelby, Tipton. Fayette, and Lauderdale Counties, focused on orders of protection, divorces, child custody, and adoptions for domestic violence or abuse/neglect victims. This position is funded by the Family-Centered Legal Solutions (FCLS) grant with Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) and Legal Services Corporation (LSC). The project’s emphasis is on stabilizing the household by providing outreach, education, and holistic legal advocacy to low-income families with children. Grant positions are funded through the duration of the grant, and subsequent renewal could result in modification of job duties and responsibilities.

Duties/Responsibilities:

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

· Provide direct legal assistance to individuals and groups, including interviewing clients, researching, performing factual investigations, preparing pleadings and memoranda, completing discovery, negotiating case resolutions, and representing clients in court and administrative hearings.

· Provide counsel, advice, and other brief services when appropriate.

· Co-counsel with other attorneys and work with paralegals.

· Develop and implement litigation and/or advocacy strategies to address systemic legal problems.

· Assist with maintaining and implementing grant requirements.

· Timely enter and maintain detailed case notes and case files for each prospective client.

· Perform other duties and training as requested by supervisor.

· 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.

· J.D. Degree.

· Current licensure in good standing in Tennessee or eligible for reciprocity and willing to secure reciprocity.

· Ability to conduct research and analysis of pertinent legal authority.

· Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.

· Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations, or administrative proceedings; to give public presentations, conduct trainings, and do client outreach; and to conduct community outreach.

· 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 polic[NN1] [AH2] [CH3] y

· 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 successful 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: DOE Starting salary: $58,200[AH4] . 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.

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/3KcyNtC

. 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.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by the employee.   By signing below, I understand and agree that I must be able to perform each of the essential functions of the position listed above to continue my employment with the Organization.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $58,200.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person