Staff Attorney- Neighborhood Advocacy
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri See More Job Openings by This Employer
Job Description
Salary
Staff Attorney
Neighborhood Advocacy
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM) seeks a full-time, motivated, and mission-aligned real estate attorney with both state court litigation and transactional experience to join our nationally recognized Neighborhood Advocacy program.
As part of a collaborative team based in our Old North St. Louis office, the Staff Attorney will play a central role in helping stabilize communities by fighting property vacancy and supporting equitable neighborhood development. This is a position for someone who thrives on meaningful work, can handle a complex caseload efficiently, and enjoys building relationships with local residents, neighborhood leaders, and community-based organizations.
Responsibilities:
Legal Services to Communities and Residents:
Neighborhood Advocacy
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM) seeks a full-time, motivated, and mission-aligned real estate attorney with both state court litigation and transactional experience to join our nationally recognized Neighborhood Advocacy program.
As part of a collaborative team based in our Old North St. Louis office, the Staff Attorney will play a central role in helping stabilize communities by fighting property vacancy and supporting equitable neighborhood development. This is a position for someone who thrives on meaningful work, can handle a complex caseload efficiently, and enjoys building relationships with local residents, neighborhood leaders, and community-based organizations.
Responsibilities:
Legal Services to Communities and Residents:
- Serve as legal counsel to 3–5 neighborhood-based organizations, focusing on civil litigation and real estate matters impacting community development.
- Represent clients in lawsuits involving nuisance properties and absentee landlords.
- Provide legal assistance to low-income homeowners, including:
- Basic estate planning
- Title clearance (heirs’ property issues)
- Property tax appeals and tax foreclosure defense
- Advise on matters related to nonprofit governance, land acquisition, and real estate transactions to support neighborhood revitalization.
Pro Bono Partnership:
- Coordinate and support pro bono attorneys: co-counsel cases, provide training, and offer substantive legal guidance to volunteers.
Community Engagement:
- Conduct legal education workshops and community outreach.
- Collaborate with local nonprofits, community leaders, and institutions to identify legal needs and expand referral networks.
Grants and Reporting:
- Support ongoing fundraising efforts by tracking outcomes, contributing to grant reports, and working with development staff on future applications.
Qualifications:
- J.D. degree and licensed to practice in Missouri
- Minimum 2 years of state court trial experience (civil litigation) strongly preferred
- Substantive experience in real estate law (transactional and/or litigation) preferred
- Strong interpersonal skills; personable, team-oriented, and approachable
- Experience working in diverse or underserved communities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Public speaking experience and/or comfort engaging large groups
- Highly organized, self-directed, and efficient
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest or community-based work is a strong plus
What we do:
LSEM is a nonprofit law firm providing free, quality civil legal services to people living with low income and limited opportunity. LSEM advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services. We partner with the community to improve lives, promote fairness, and create opportunities for those in need. Since 1956, LSEM has provided high-quality civil legal assistance and equal access to justice for low-income people in 21 counties in Missouri. We accomplish our mission through systemic advocacy/impact litigation and individual case work in a wide range of substantive civil areas which are in our priorities, e.g., family law for victims of domestic violence, prevention of homelessness/housing, health, public benefits, consumer, education, disability, community economic development, and immigration. As part of our community education/outreach efforts, LSEM works with over 150 agencies and participates in over 35 task forces/coalitions and has a vibrant Volunteer Lawyers Program.
The Neighborhood Advocacy Program specifically focuses on property stability and community resilience, preventing the harms of vacancy, and equipping residents and community groups with legal tools to build power and agency.
Who we are:
At Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, we embrace a culture that celebrates and promotes the many backgrounds, heritages, and perspectives of our colleagues and clients. We seek to hire individuals from a variety of backgrounds, who are professional, collaborative, and creative thinkers with a passion for our mission, and create an environment where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will make employment decisions based on merit.
How to Apply:
Upload your resume and cover letter through our online application. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Salary & Benefits Information:
The annual salary range for this position is $66,000-$99,000. Specific salary offered to a candidate will be based on their relevant years of experience. There are opportunities for advancement, including raises. Excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, a generous time off policy (starting at 4 weeks per year), 11 paid holidays, 12 weeks paid parental leave, 403(b) and 401(a) retirement plans, long-term disability and life insurance, employee assistance plan, and flexible spending accounts.
Submission Deadline: Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Equal access to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s office is available. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact Human Resources at the e-mail HR@lsem.org. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.
LSEM is a nonprofit law firm providing free, quality civil legal services to people living with low income and limited opportunity. LSEM advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services. We partner with the community to improve lives, promote fairness, and create opportunities for those in need. Since 1956, LSEM has provided high-quality civil legal assistance and equal access to justice for low-income people in 21 counties in Missouri. We accomplish our mission through systemic advocacy/impact litigation and individual case work in a wide range of substantive civil areas which are in our priorities, e.g., family law for victims of domestic violence, prevention of homelessness/housing, health, public benefits, consumer, education, disability, community economic development, and immigration. As part of our community education/outreach efforts, LSEM works with over 150 agencies and participates in over 35 task forces/coalitions and has a vibrant Volunteer Lawyers Program.
The Neighborhood Advocacy Program specifically focuses on property stability and community resilience, preventing the harms of vacancy, and equipping residents and community groups with legal tools to build power and agency.
Who we are:
At Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, we embrace a culture that celebrates and promotes the many backgrounds, heritages, and perspectives of our colleagues and clients. We seek to hire individuals from a variety of backgrounds, who are professional, collaborative, and creative thinkers with a passion for our mission, and create an environment where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will make employment decisions based on merit.
How to Apply:
Upload your resume and cover letter through our online application. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Salary & Benefits Information:
The annual salary range for this position is $66,000-$99,000. Specific salary offered to a candidate will be based on their relevant years of experience. There are opportunities for advancement, including raises. Excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, a generous time off policy (starting at 4 weeks per year), 11 paid holidays, 12 weeks paid parental leave, 403(b) and 401(a) retirement plans, long-term disability and life insurance, employee assistance plan, and flexible spending accounts.
Submission Deadline: Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Equal access to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s office is available. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact Human Resources at the e-mail HR@lsem.org. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.
- $66,000 - $99,000
AI Career Tools
Quickly create a cover letter, get resume help, and more with our free AI tools!
