Staff Attorney

Our Mission: 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. 

Job Summary 

As a Staff Attorney at ULS, you will be a litigation attorney who provides ethical and competent civil legal representation and client support services to Utahns with low-income or special vulnerabilities. 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(s). You will be placed on a team and report directly to your Managing Attorney. As a lawyer you must exercise independent judgment as a professional. You will also receive moderate direction on casework from the Subject Matter Chair(s).

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Case Management

• 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 provided and followed by the Subject Area Chair overseeing your cases.
• Determine the correct Level of Service (LOS) for each of your assigned cases and update as necessary.
• Manage an average caseload of 60-150 cases based on the level of service and area of law, as assigned.
• Regularly and strategically review case status and tasks, updating as needed.
• Review cases for Case Service Report (CSR) compliance and then properly close cases.
• Actively work with paralegal to timely move the case toward finality.

Client Support

• Communicate with clients to gather facts, prepare case summaries, and evaluate the merits of assigned cases.
• Educate clients about the laws, rules, and legal processes related to their matter. This includes explaining potential outcomes, setting reasonable expectations, establishing goals and next steps, and strategizing about the case.
• Advocate by giving clients advice, brief services, and representation to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities, while keeping them informed and updated on developments in their case.
• Prepare clients for depositions, interviews, examinations, hearings, and other case-related meetings.

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 others to request documents, research, and aid in case progression.
• Review relevant statutes, rules, regulations, caselaw, and secondary sources to assist in developing case strategies.

Litigation and Administrative Work

• Prepare pro se answers and motions for clients who are not eligible for extended representation through ULS.
• Review paralegal work for accuracy and compliance with all rules, laws, and professional responsibilities. This includes compliance with grantees and regulatory governing entities.
• Independently prepare and submit court or administrative agency documents to the court, agency, and appropriate parties.
• Explore possible settlements through negotiations as approved by the client to mitigate harm and improve your client’s situation.
• Independently attend moderate to complex meetings, mediations, hearings, trials and any other necessary client-related proceedings to advocate for your client.

Additional Duties

• Attend ULS staff meetings, training sessions, and case reviews.
• Complete appropriate continuing education and certification requirements such as continuing legal education (CLEs).
• Serve on an internal ULS working group, as invited by management.
• Assist in the development of ULS training materials and during group training sessions.
• Participate in 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 people with low incomes and special vulnerabilities and 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.
• Work experience in one of the following legal areas is preferred: domestic law, housing, consumer protection, debt defense, public benefits, Native American law, or migrant worker law.

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

• This is a hybrid position.
• Must be able to travel to meetings and court proceedings as needed.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.

Benefits

We understand that comprehensive benefits are essential in fostering a thriving workplace culture. That's why we offer an extensive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employer-paid vision insurance
• Generous paid-time off (21 days per year)
• 13 paid holidays
• 403(b) retirement plan with a monthly employer match, plus automatic monthly contributions
• Employer-paid short and long-term disability coverage
• $25,000 life insurance
• 4 weeks paid parental leave
• Payment of annual dues to the Utah State Bar
• Monthly employer stipend to assist staff with benefit cost

EEO Statement

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