Civil Staff Attorney (Community Law)

MPD has been on the cutting edge of public defense since our inception in 1971 as a non-profit law firm. MPD is the largest single provider of trial level public defense services in the state of Oregon, with offices in both Multnomah and Washington counties. For more information on MPD and our work visit our website.

Community Law (CL) is the civil law division of MPD. CL was formed in 2016 in response to the growing concerns related to the collateral consequences of being justice involved and the disproportionate number of people of color suffering under these consequences. CL has both a civil law and an immigration law team. CL’s specialty is diminishing the downstream effects of criminal justice system involvement. We represent people from the community who have previously encountered the criminal justice system, as well as other vulnerable and underserved populations in Portland and Multnomah County, to remove barriers to housing and economic stability. We also advocate for systemic changes to help Oregonians previously involved in the criminal justice system. Our model is designed upon partnering with local government agencies and community-based organizations to serve our clients, working together to help clients remove barriers to economic opportunities, navigate legal systems, and achieve justice. 

MPD is currently searching for Civil Staff Attorney to join our Community Law Team.

The Civil Staff Attorney position provides legal representation to clients comprised of criminal barrier reduction (such as expungement, felony reduction, fine and fee waivers, driver’s license reinstatements), tenant’s rights (eviction defense, advocacy, and eviction expungements) along with other civil legal services (including public benefits and navigation of open cases and court systems). This position will work specifically with current MPD criminal clients, from both the Multnomah County and the Washington County offices, who are also facing housing or collateral barriers. The attorney will work closely with various criminal defense attorneys to jointly represent their clients in the hopes that providing more holistic legal defense services not only will protect clients from further system involvement but also will get at the root issues. The ideal candidate is committed to justice for low-income, vulnerable, and marginalized individuals and households and understands the economic and systemic issues these populations face.

This position pays $74,825.00 - $110,550.60 per year commensurate with experience and additional compensation for bilingual ability. Staff are members of a union. This is a full-time, exempt position. All Community Law positions are contingent upon continued funding. In addition to compensation, MPD also offers:

• Medical (choice of PPO or HDHP), Dental and Vision – 100% employer paid for employee only coverage
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Basic Life, STD, LTD and ADD&D – 100% employer paid 
• 401(K) – MPD will contribute 6% of your annual salary with full vesting after the completion of 5 years of service
• PTO – 24 hours upon hire, accrues monthly to 80 hours and increasing to 120 hours starting at 24 months
• 10 paid holidays + 2 Personal Equity Days 
• 4 Mental Health Days per year 
• Sick Leave – 48 hours upon hire + accrues monthly after the completion of six months of employment

Qualifications:

• Oregon bar admission or eligible for admission
• Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity in working with diverse clients, communities, and colleagues
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferences:

• Fluency in Spanish highly preferred
• Experience with any of the legal issue areas this position encompasses, including criminal law, housing law, consumer or public benefits law
• Experience representing low-income clients, and diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds, including individuals with a history of incarceration or trauma
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team

Work Environment:

• MPD fosters a work environment that is friendly, cooperative, and respectful
• This is a hybrid position which requires in-person work in the Hillsboro office at least once a week and as-needed for appearances in Washington County court, along with work in Multnomah County on a more regular basis.
  • Applicants must reside in Oregon or be willing to relocate for the position
• Attorneys work 40 hours per week and possess a willingness to work occasional irregular hours to meet the needs of clients

To apply:

• Submit a current resume and cover letter on why you are interested in the position and/or in supporting public defense work via the Career Center on our website.

Diversity and Inclusion: At MPD, we do not just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for all our staff.

MPD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, military status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or applicable local law.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources in advance to request assistance.

Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference.