Staff Attorney - Veterans Services

Position Title: Veterans Staff Attorney

Department: Veterans Project

Employment Status: Full Time; exempt

Location: Memphis

Supervisor: Director of Special Projects

Prepared: October 8, 2025

Job Summary: 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.

This position is funded 75% under the Legal Services for Veterans (LSV) grant with the Veterans Administration. The position’s remaining 25% is funded to provide civil legal assistance to Veterans and Veteran families who qualify for civil legal assistance under the Supportive Services for Veterans Families grant and to individuals facing housing instability.

The Veterans Staff Attorney is responsible for providing legal services to eligible Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The goal is to assist homeless and at-risk Veterans who have unaddressed legal needs that create barriers to housing stability. Grant positions are funded through the duration of the grant and subsequent renewal could result in modification of job duties and responsibilities. This position reports to the Director of Special Projects and works closely with the housing, consumer, benefits, and family law teams.

Duties/Responsibilities:

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

Attorney Duties:

• Provide legal advice and representation in civil legal matters affecting housing stability to homeless and at-risk Veterans and Veteran families
• Provide civil legal advice and representation to individuals and families facing housing instability
• Provide outreach and education activities for Veteran population
• Build referral partnerships with community and government agencies serving homeless or at-risk Veterans
• Meet the requirements of the LSV and SSVF projects
• Attend training relevant to housing instability or Veteran services affecting WTLS’ client population as directed by the Director of Special Projects

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 current licensure in good standing in Tennessee, planning to sit for the February 2026 Tennessee Bar, or eligible for and willing to secure reciprocity
• 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: $58,200-78,900 DOE. 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/46NXw0m). 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
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person