Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary: $ 80,000 - $83,200
Associate AttorneyJob Description
Our Mission: Our mission atUtah Legal Services (ULS)is to provide high-quality civil legal aid without cost to people who are unable to afford legal representation or are facing disadvantages, ensuring meaningful access to justice, and promoting education, stability, safety, and protection.Equal Justice Under Lawis one of our nations most basic principles. However, economic realities often leave these promises unfulfilled. This is whereULScomes in. Since ourinceptionas a nonprofit in 1976,weremaincommitted to making equal justice a reality by providing free services, in civil legal matters. More than70attorneys and legal professionals,working remote and in person, deliver client services from four regional offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden,Provoand St. George. Join our team and help us level the playing field for low- incomeUtahns, ensuring everyone has a voice in the legal system.
Job Summary
As an AssociateAttorney at ULS, you will provide ethical and competentcivillegal representation and client support servicesto Utahnswith low-income or special vulnerabilities. You will do this with intentional excellenceto providemeaningful access to equal justice. Your primaryduties andresponsibilities includeconducting casemanagement, clientsupport,legal research, litigation or administrative work, and overseeing thelegalwork of an assigned paralegal(s).Youwillbe placed on a team andreportdirectly toyourManaging Attorney.Asa lawyer youmust exerciseindependent judgmentasaprofessional, however,in yourlegal work, youwill serveasco-counsel underyourSubject MatterChair(s)oradesignated Senior
Attorneywho has final decision-making authorityover the case.
Job Duties andResponsibilities
Case Management
- Use the ULS case management system,LegalServer, to bill time, manage clients and track caserelated tasks and deadlines fortimelycommunications, services, and representation.
- Follow case handling protocolsand best practicesprovidedand followedby theSubjectMatterChairoverseeing your cases.
- Managean average caseloadof60-150cases basedon the level of service and area of law, as assigned.
- Regularly and strategically review case status and tasks, updating as needed.
- Actively work with paralegal totimelymove the case toward finality.
Client Support
- Communicate with clients to gather facts, prepare case summaries, and evaluate the merits ofassigned cases.
- Educate clients about the laws, rules, and legal processes related to theirmatter. This includesexplainingpotential outcomes, setting reasonable expectations,establishinggoals and nextsteps, andstrategizing aboutthe case.
- Advocateby giving clientsadvice, brief services, and representationto ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities, while keeping them informed and updated on developments in their case.
- Prepare clients fordepositions, interviews, examinations, hearings, and other case-relatedmeetings.
Legal Research
- Research using relevant legal sites and platforms such as Xchange, Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), Electronic Records Request (ERE),the Utah State Court and District Court websites,governmental agencies,and othersto request documents, research, and aid in case progression.
- Review relevantstatutes, rules, regulations,caselaw, and secondary sourcestoassistin developing case strategies.
Litigation and Administrative Work
- Preparepro seanswers and motions for clients who are not eligible for extended representationthrough ULS.
- Review paralegal work for accuracy and compliance with all rules, laws, andprofessionalresponsibilities. This includescompliance with grantees and regulatory governing entities.
- Prepareandsubmitcourt or administrative agency documentsto the court, agency, andappropriate partiesas directed byyoursupervising attorney.
- Explorepossible settlementsthrough negotiations as approved by the client to mitigateharm and improve your clients situation.
- Attend meetings, mediations, hearings,trialsand any other necessaryclient-related proceedingsto advocate for your client.
Additional Duties
- AttendULS staffmeetings, training sessions, and case reviews.
- Participate in Community Engagement activities such as clinics, community education, and outreach events, as invited.
- Completeappropriate continuingeducation and certification requirements such as continuing legal education (CLEs).
- Maintain good standing with regulatory entities including the Utah State Bar.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Abilities
- A strong commitment toassistingpeople with low incomes and special vulnerabilitiesand promoting meaningful access to civil legal justice.
- Excellent interpersonal abilities.
- Highverbal and written communication skills.
- High levelof adaptability and ability to managestress.
- Self-motivated, dependable, detailed, and accountable.
- Commitment and adherence to strictconfidentiality rules.
- Work experience in oneof the following legal areas is preferred: domestic law, housing, consumerprotection, debt defense, public benefits, Native American law,ormigrant worker law.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of diverse people, ability, culture, and ethnic background tomaintaingood relationships.
Qualifications.
- Must be able to pass a Utah Criminal Record background check.
- Juris Doctor Degree from a U.S. accredited law school.
- Admission and good standing with the Utah State Bar (or the ability and plan to get one as soon as possible).
Job Factors/Physical Requirements
- Must be able to travel to meetings and court proceedings as needed.
- Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
Compensation
Salary:$80,000- $83,200
FLSA Status: Full-Time Exempt
Utah Legal Services believes that equal opportunityofall employees is important for the continuing success of our organization. In accordance with state and federal law, this nonprofit will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, disability, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status in hiring, promoting, demoting, trainings, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.