SUMMARY

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (“LASP”) seeks attorneys for its Centralized Telephone Intake Helpline. LASP serves individuals with low incomes and limited resources in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. 

This position would be responsible for initial client contact, completion of all required eligibility and compliance documentation, initial investigation, and provision of advice. The position will work closely with the Helpline Supervising Attorney to determine next steps, including levels of service to be provided and referrals to LASP local offices or specialty units. 

LASP’s Helpline interviews potential clients facing legal problems in areas including Employment (Wage Claims, Criminal Records Clearing), Public Benefits (SSI, Unemployment, Veterans), Family Law, Landlord-Tenant, Homeownership, Consumer, Bankruptcy, and Utilities. LASP’s Helpline answers live calls, returns applicants’ phone calls, refers cases internally, and responds to online applications. 

This is a full-time position. Staff currently work on a hybrid basis. Staff will be expected to perform in-office work as well as be able to work remotely. This position may carry a small caseload involving brief service.   
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: 

1. Conducting preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients by telephone, internet and in person;
2. Screening clients to determine eligibility for LASP services, ascertaining and investigating facts, and conducting limited legal research;
3. Advising clients of results of initial investigation and research and counseling clients regarding their options;
4. Maintaining case records for clients in the LegalServer case management system;
5. Working in consultation with the Helpline Supervising Attorney on suggested next steps, including levels of service to be provided, and referring cases to LASP offices and specialty units for extended representation;
6. Participating in external professional and community organizations relevant to working with vulnerable populations;
7. Staffing clinics, community education events, and workshops;
8. Becoming engaged in LASP team efforts to achieve office and program goals, including participation in program-wide affinity groups and task forces;
9. Developing knowledge of community needs and referral resources;
10. Enhancing skills and substantive knowledge through training, CLE, and other educational opportunities;
11. Abiding by all applicable professional standards of ethics and practice;
12. Completing required administrative tasks, including entering of notes and timekeeping in LASP case management software, and maintaining of physical files;
13. Ensuring that requirements of grants and contracts, which may provide funding for the position, are followed, and assisting with grant reports;  
14. Performing other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.  

 
SUPERVISOR: 

Helpline Supervising 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 $58,000 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.

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 that includes job title (Helpline Intake 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.