MANAGING ATTORNEY OF HOMEOWNERSHIP & CONSUMER LAW UNIT

Title: Managing Attorney of Homeownership & Consumer Law Unit

Reports To: Deputy Director of Advocacy

FLSA Status: Exempt

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia is seeking a Managing Attorney for its Homeownership and Consumer Law Unit. The Managing Attorney provides leadership for the delivery of high quality legal services to low-income people; is responsible for ensuring the provision of high quality legal assistance and advocacy within the unit; and for working with the management team to ensure overall organization quality and effectiveness.

CLS seeks an attorney with at least eight years of legal experience who also has management abilities.

Ideally, the Managing Attorney will have the following abilities:

Client Representation & Advocacy:

• · Within the area of foreclosure defense, bankruptcy and consumer protection: Provide and ensure high quality legal representation to individuals and groups in accordance with Legal Aid Standards of Practice and Supervision and the Rules of Professional Conduct. This includes interviewing clients, conducting research, factual investigation, preparing pleadings, negotiating case resolutions, discovery and motion practice and representing clients in court and administrative hearings.
• · Provide counseling, advice and other brief services and referrals, as appropriate.
• · Co-counsel with other attorneys and work with paralegals.
• · Represent clients and client groups in litigation, administrative advocacy and other advocacy forums.
• · Engage in and supervise appellate work, complex and major litigation and other special projects.
• · Develop, implement and supervise litigation and/or advocacy strategies to address systemic legal problems.
• · Analyze and comment on pending legislation and regulations consistent with the requirements of all funding sources.

Leadership:

• · Build a team within the unit and build teams within the larger organization and among other units.
• · Motivate staff.
• · Develop unit goals and work plan to achieve those goals.
• · Ensure staff within the unit achieve professional development and are provided with professional growth opportunities.
• · Train (formal and informal) staff attorneys and other staff.
• · Present at trainings for legal services, other advocates, or the community; write training manuals; publish articles and/or community education materials.
• · Apply knowledge of poverty law issues, strategies and solutions to engage in and supervise systemic advocacy.
• · Take a leadership role in task forces, advocacy groups, community based organizations, or bar association.
• · Keep program staff and advocates throughout the state apprised of new developments within the substantive legal areas in which the attorney practices (updates via written communication and/or training).
• · Engage in local, state, regional and/or national legal services and advocacy community.
• · Read professional materials and other communications which are related to job responsibilities.

Community Work:

• · Participate in and supervise other activities related to poverty law including community education and outreach, writing of publishable materials, and permissible legislative and administrative advocacy
• · Participate in state-wide task forces and work groups.
• · Participate in bar activities and establish effective working relationships with the bar.
• · Ensure the practice group and organization develop and maintain relationships with partner organizations, including other non-profits, grass roots organizations, government agencies and elected officials.

Intake and Advice:

• · Ensure intake policies and procedures identify appropriate legal issues.
• · Ensure clients receive high quality and effective advice.

Resource Development and Communications:

• · Identify opportunities for resources development.
• · Maintain and develop relationships with funders of the unit's work.
• · Assist with grant proposals, reports and other resource development.
• · Identify opportunities for working with the media and engaging in other communications.
• · Assist with and actively participate in communications and media relations.

Other:

• · Participate in training activities as trainee or trainer for professional growth as well as required CLE credits.
• · Report to management any bar association grievances, disciplinary proceedings or malpractice claims involving the unit and cooperate with the CLS liability insurers.
• · Provide support to intake process.
• · Attend program meetings; ensure unit meetings are effective.
• · Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises other staff in unit. Management/supervision responsibilities include:

• · Monitor substantive legal work.
• · Develop and maintain a qualified and committed legal staff, provide consult and advice as well as applicable training and development.
• · Evaluate performance and take corrective action if needed.
• · Develop and maintain a qualified and committed support staff.
• · Develop and maintain a productive work environment and handle general administrative issues, such as providing input to the budget process, taking reasonable actions to achieve compliance with program regulations and requirements.
• · Communicate with staff and other offices/ units and foster good working relationships.

Job Requirements:

• · Juris Doctor (JD)
• · License to practice law in Pennsylvania or able to become licensed to practice in Pennsylvania by the starting date of the position
• · Working knowledge of mortgage foreclosure, bankruptcy and consumer law.
• · Computer proficiency in MS Office.
• · Excellent interpersonal skills.
• · Excellent management and leadership skills.
• · Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
• · Able to establish effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• · Organized, able to prioritize work, plan and problem-solve, meet deadlines and work well under pressure.

• Experience in a legal services/non-profit environment preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• Normal office environment; some work in low-income communities.
• Travel required to courts, client meetings, community meetings and other offices.

Success Factors:

• A commitment to the principal of equal justice and to advocacy for low-income persons.
• Treat clients, staff and the public with dignity and respect.
• Appreciation for diverse cultures and communities.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and independently including willingness to help others (cooperative) and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience.
• Able to address issues in a timely manner.
• High level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Excellent research, writing, and advocacy skills including the ability to advocate in a clear, effective and logical manner both oral and written.

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. At the employee's request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.