SUMMARY

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (“LASP”) seeks an attorney to provide creative and zealous advocacy to vulnerable seniors and adults facing guardianship. Adult guardianship attorneys champion the civil and constitutional rights of their clients by providing direct legal representation to them. In court, the guardianship attorneys give voice to their clients’ wishes and preferences, ensuring those wishes are considered in matters affecting all aspects of their lives. Over the course of a case, the attorney will be responsible for interviewing their client at the client’s residence, meeting with interested parties, negotiating with opposing counsel, conducting discovery, and representing the client in court hearings. This is a full-time position. LASP staff currently work on a hybrid basis. Staff will be expected to perform in-office work as well as be able to work remotely.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: 

1. Representing the alleged incapacitated person (AIP) in court, advocating for their wishes and preferences;
2. Working to ensure the individual’s autonomy and well-being within the legal framework of guardianship;
3. Meeting with the AIP at their residence to understand their situation and preferences;
4. Gathering information, interviewing the AIP and other relevant parties;
5. Reviewing medical records and other relevant documentation;
6. Providing advice and counsel to AIP on the implications of guardianship and the legal options available to them;
7. Preparing reports for the court outlining the AIP’s circumstances and needs;
8. Ensuring the AIP’s rights are protected throughout the guardianship litigation process;
9. Preparing legal documents, including but not necessarily limited to: briefs, pleadings, motions, notices, correspondence, memoranda, discovery and documents responsive to discovery requests;
10. Developing strategy and arguments for presentation of cases and preparing   witnesses for hearings and trials;
11. Reviewing decisions and consulting with LASP’s management team to determine merit of potential appeals;
12. Participating in external professional and community organizations relevant to casework;
13. Becoming engaged in LASP team efforts to achieve office and program goals, including participation in program-wide affinity groups and task forces;
14. Developing knowledge of referral resources and assessing community and client needs;
15. Enhancing skills and substantive knowledge through training, CLE, and other educational opportunities;
16. Abiding by all applicable professional standards of ethics and practice;
17. Completing required administrative tasks including entering of notes and timekeeping in LASP case management software, and maintaining of physical files;
18. Ensuring that requirements of grants and contracts which may provide funding for the position are followed, and assisting with grant reports;
19. Performing other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.

SUPERVISOR:  

Managing Attorney

QUALIFICATIONS: 

License to practice law in Pennsylvania or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission to Pennsylvania. At least two (2) years’ experience as a lawyer preferred with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office products, case management software, and online legal research tools; Must have passionate commitment to public interest law and serving low-income individuals and vulnerable populations; Strong written and oral advocacy and organizational skills are required. Spanish language fluency is desirable.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: 

LASP offers competitive salaries, beginning at $63,000 for attorneys. Salaries are commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits, including a 401K retirement plan with generous employer contributions, health insurance option in which 100% of premium costs are provided, ancillary benefits, and generous leave provisions including paid holidays, floating holidays, personal leave, vacation, sick, and parental leave.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: 

LASP is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in the recruitment, selection, or advancement of employees on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information or on any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. 
 
This policy applies to all employment practices within LASP, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. LASP makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.  

TO APPLY: 

Send resume and cover letter including job title (Adult Guardianship Staff Attorney) to Elise Wilson-Coles, Human Resources Manager at Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, to Hiring@lasp.org. Position will remain open until filled.