Staff Attorney

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Staff Attorney – Employment Law

LOCATION: Philadelphia or Pittsburgh (hybrid; partial remote)

STATUS: Exempt

SUPERVISED BY: Supervising Attorney

Job Summary: The Staff Attorney will be responsible for providing legal assistance, education and advocacy on behalf of eligible clients of the program, with a focus on wage theft and other types of employment law cases. JaW’s Staff Attorneys may be based in either the Philadelphia or the Pittsburgh office, and are eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

About Justice at Work: Justice at Work is a nonprofit legal aid provider based in Pennsylvania, and is a partner in the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. Our mission is to support workers in low-wage industries as they pursue economic and social justice. We employ a client-centered model of service: we seek to address clients’ challenges based on their unique circumstances, with a focus on their goals; we recognize that justice is a process; we believe that our clients’ experiences as we guide them through the legal process are as important as their ultimate legal outcomes.

We have offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and provide legal services throughout Pennsylvania. Our team is multi-lingual, and many of our clients are low-wage, Spanish-speaking workers living in small cities, towns, and agricultural communities across the state.

Required Qualifications

• At least one (1) year of post-law school professional experience (will consider May 2024 law graduates)
• Pennsylvania Bar membership or ability to obtain Pennsylvania law license immediately upon hiring
• Demonstrated interest in public interest law
• Advanced Spanish language skills
• Commitment to recognizing and promoting the dignity of all people, including farmworker, migrant, and immigrant communities
• Experience working with clients who have experienced trauma
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and ability to take initiative in development and completion of projects
• Proficiency in the following legal practice skills: written and verbal communication; legal research and analytical problem-solving; organization and time management; relationship management; and flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel independently for off-site meetings, training programs, and community outreach in a rental car as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience representing clients in administrative proceedings, state court, federal court, or other litigation/trial experience
• Professional experience in Employment Law
• Experience working with farmworker, migrant and/or immigrant communities
• Experience interviewing individuals who have experienced trauma
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Comfort with public speaking in a variety of settings and to a wide range of audiences

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality direct legal assistance to clients
• Maintain a caseload commensurate with abilities and caseload difficulty
• Participate in intake and case evaluation on a regular basis
• Provide community education to client communities on a regular basis
• Maintain the highest ethical standards as a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and regularly seek out information relating to changes to the relevant areas of law
• Demonstrate dependability through good attendance, adherence to timelines and schedules, and regular communication with supervisor
• Comply with all applicable regulations, policies and procedures, confidentiality guidelines and grant requirements
• Ensure that all timekeeping, client files, data and reports are accurate, complete, and timely
• Develop and maintain good relationships with client communities and professional partners
• Embrace and support the organization’s overall mission and internal standards for client representation

Physical Requirements

This work requires the following physical activities:

• Sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending, squatting, kneeling, stooping; good finger dexterity and feeling; frequent repetitive motions; ability to speak and hear; or the ability to perform essential job functions with reasonable accommodation
• Lifting (up to 25 pounds of files, supplies or minor office equipment)
• Requires substantial time spent typing
• Requires driving for up to 5 hours at a time

Salary & Benefits: The starting salary for this position is $65,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Justice at Work offers generous benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous holiday, sick, vacation, and personal paid leave, including paid holiday leave for one week at the end of each calendar year
• Up to $7,500 per year in student loan repayment assistance

Please note that while Justice at Work is committed to program sustainability, employment in this role may be terminated if funding is reduced or discontinued.

Classification: Justice at Work recognizes a staff bargaining unit, Justice at Work Staff Union, affiliated with the NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia, Local 38010 Communication Workers of America. This position is included in the bargaining unit. Some employment terms are subject to collective bargaining.

Application Process: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should email a resume, cover letter, and three (3) professional references to the attention of the Hiring Manager at jaw@justiceatworklegalaid.org. JaW will begin reviewing applications on June 30, 2025. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of background checks as determined by JaW.

Nondiscrimination: JaW is committed to fostering equal opportunities for all, in compliance with all applicable laws.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this position. These statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.