Legal Aid Staff Attorney - Winchester VA

Blue Ridge Legal Services is a leading legal aid society committed to providing comprehensive legal services to low-income individuals and families in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Our mission is to promote access to justice by addressing the legal needs of underserved communities, ensuring equal representation and protection under the law. BRLS has four offices in Roanoke, Lexington, Harrisonburg, and Winchester. Our Winchester office is located on South Loudoun Street just a block from the downtown mall. Winchester, Virginia offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern convenience, nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley just 72 miles from Washington, D.C. With its rich history, vibrant downtown, outstanding outdoor recreation, and a lower cost of living than the D.C. metro area, Winchester is a wonderful place to live, work, and put down roots.

Blue Ridge Legal Services is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Staff Attorney to join our team in the Winchester office. The Staff Attorney will play a crucial role in providing legal assistance and advocacy to individuals facing poverty-related civil legal issues. We are looking for a candidate with a demonstrated passion for equal justice and poverty law, as well as a commitment to serving vulnerable populations. The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal representation to low-income clients in various civil legal matters, with a focus on eviction defense/housing law, consumer rights, family law, public benefits, and elder-law matters. While the Staff Attorney will be responsible for appearing with clients in courts in Winchester and surrounding areas, a partial hybrid work environment can be explored. Our organization values collaboration and teamwork; is family-oriented; and encourages work-life balance and employee well-being.

Qualifications

Candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• • Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia or eligible for admission from another state under the new Virginia Legal Aid Counsel Rule. Attorneys with 2 years’ practice in other states can practice for legal aid in VA without exam.
  • Previous legal services experience, including civil legal aid, law school clinics, and internships desired but not required
  • Proven leadership skills with a strong work ethic
  • Demonstrate commitment to social justice, with a desire to increase access to justice
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication
  • Alignment with Blue Ridge Legal Services’ mission, vision, and values
  • Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
  • An ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting to facilitate a coordinated community response and provide holistic services to clients
  • Ability to speak Spanish a plus.

Salary and Other Benefits

The staff attorney will receive an annual salary (starting at $72,617 for a newly minted attorney just admitted to the bar, and more depending on experience) together with an excellent benefit package, including a $7,500 annual student loan forgiveness benefit through the Legal Services Corporation of Virginia, paid health insurance and healthcare reimbursement funds, retirement plan with 6% employee contribution, 15 paid holidays, optional flex savings account, vision and dental insurance, professional development opportunities, and generous sick, short- and long-term disability, and annual leave policies through Blue Ridge Legal Services. Interested applicants should contact Blue Ridge Legal Services with any follow-up questions.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send a

cover letter and resume via email to John Whitfield, the executive director of

Blue Ridge Legal Services at jwhitfield@brls.org.

Blue Ridge Legal Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to join our dedicated team in serving our community.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Relocation assistance
  • Retirement plan
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Vision insurance

Schedule:

• • Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• • Bar license in Virginia or another state? (Required)

Work Location: In person

• • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Relocation assistance
  • Retirement plan
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Vision insurance

Ability to speak Spanish is a plus!