Veterans Housing Staff Attorney

As a Staff Attorney, you will provide legal services to eligible Veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. You will do this with intentional excellence to provide meaningful access to equal justice. Your primary duties and responsibilities include conducting case management, client support, legal research, litigation or administrative work, and overseeing the legal work of an assigned paralegal.  

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

• Actively investigate techniques for improving case handling and best practices for case review and assignment. 

• Review all incoming cases that might qualify for the grant and make appropriate assignments to funding codes and case assignments. 

• Collaborate with the Director of Litigation to identify and litigate cases that will provide systemic advocacy in Utah. 

 

Case Management and Legal Work 

• Use the ULS case management system, LegalServer, to bill time, manage clients and track case related tasks and deadlines for timely communications, services, and representation. 

• Follow case handling protocols and best practices  and keep them updated as appropriate. 

• Determine the correct Level of Service (LOS) for each of your assigned cases, and update as necessary.

• Manage an average caseload of 50-70 based on the level of service and your other workload and duties. 

• Conduct client support, legal research, litigation and/or administrative work, and appear at meetings, negotiations, mediations, hearings and at trial as needed. 

• Regularly and strategically review case status and tasks, updating as needed. 

• Review cases for Case Service Report (CSR) compliance and then properly close cases. 
• Strategize with and assist the Director of Litigation in setting case acceptance guidelines, planning systemic advocacy efforts, and ensuring excellent service delivery. 
• Provide training opportunities and manuals for staff. 

• Ensure grant funding for your designated legal area is monitored and used appropriately. 

• Prepare grant reports on a regular basis and work with the Administration Director/General Counsel to ensure compliance with your area-specific grants. 

Additional Duties 

• Attend ULS staff meetings, and lead training sessions and case reviews. 

• Complete appropriate continuing education and certification requirements such as continuing legal education (CLEs). 

• Participate in and develop community engagement efforts including at clinics, community education classes, and outreach to further ULS’s mission and maintain relationships with community partners and stakeholders. 

• Maintain good standing with regulatory entities including the Utah State Bar. 

• Other duties as assigned. 
  
  

Skills and Abilities 

• A strong commitment to assisting qualifying veterans promoting meaningful access to civil legal justice.
  

• Excellent interpersonal abilities. 

• High verbal and written communication skills
  

• High level of adaptability and ability to manage stress. 

• Self-motivated, dependable, detailed, and accountable.  

• Commitment and adherence to strict confidentiality rules. 

• Minimum 3 years work experience in one of the following legal areas is preferred: domestic law, housing, consumer protection, public benefits. 

• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of diverse people, ability, culture, and ethnic background to maintain good relationships.  

Qualifications

• Qualified veterans are encouraged to apply. Veteran preference will be considered in accordance with applicable laws.
• Experience working with veterans or veteran-serving programs is preferred.
• 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 Requirement

• In person at a ULS office (Ogden, SLC, or Provo) a minimum one day per week. 
• Must be able to travel to meetings and court proceedings as needed. 

• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time. 

About Us

Our mission at Utah 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 Law is one of our nation’s most basic principles. However, economic realities often leave these promises unfulfilled. This is where ULS comes in. Since our inception as a nonprofit in 1976, we remain committed to making equal justice a reality by providing free services, in civil legal matters. More than 70 attorneys and legal professionals, working remote and in person, deliver client services from four regional offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and St. George. Join our team and help us level the playing field for low- income Utahns, ensuring everyone has a voice in the legal system.  

Utah Legal Services believes that equal opportunity of all 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. 

Salary

• $80,000 - $95,000