Staff Attorney - Meadville Office

Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) is seeking qualified applicants for one (1)  full-time  (or part-time, if necessary) Staff Attorney position in our Meadville,  PA office.   We are a PA  
non-profit legal aid organization providing free legal services to low-income residents with civil legal issues in the 10 northwestern counties of PA.

Caseload to include domestic violence, family  law, public benefits, housing, and other areas of civil public interest law.   The Meadville office primarily covers cases in Crawford 
County, but some travel to other counties in our service area may be required.  Extensive   training is provided.  

Applicants must be admitted to the PA bar, eligible to practice law in PA, or have plans to take or have recently passed the PA bar exam to be considered.

Starting salary range for 0-3 yrs experience is $65,000-$67,000.  We offer EXTENSIVE benefits and perks while emphasizing a healthy work/home life balance.  Potential loan repayment  assistance is available for qualifying loans.  Employment currently qualifies for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.  We are an EEO Employer.

Applicants  must  email,  fax,  or  mail  a  detailed  cover  letter,  resume, references &  brief   writing sample to contact@nwls.org  to be considered.

Northwestern Legal Services 

1314 Griswold Plaza, Suite 103, Rear
Erie, PA  16501
Fax: (814) 452-8145
 

Job Description

The Staff Attorney in the employ of NWLS works directly with the Executive Director and their Managing Attorney.  The legal services NWLS provides include: advice and counsel; individual and group representation; litigation; appellate practice; judicial challenges to particular practices and regulations; development of specialized programs to serve clients who have legal problems in specific areas of civil law; education of the client community concerning the rights of low-income people, education of the larger community concerning the needs and rights of low-income people and legislative and administrative education.  Legal services are not provided in fee-generating cases or in matters in which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has an obligation to furnish counsel to the indigent.  Nor are services provided in criminal matters.  For more info, please visit our website www.nwls.org.

Organizational Background

Since 1969, NWLS has provided free legal aid in civil cases to low-income clients in our ten-county, northwestern Pennsylvania service area.  We are a private, non-profit organization that receives funding from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as donations from the public.  We also administer grants for specialized legal services and community outreach.  Over half the NWLS staff is composed of attorneys and paralegals who provide direct representation and counsel, along with telephone advice and brief services, to our clients.  Our Board of Directors is composed of private attorneys and client-eligible individuals from the ten counties in our service area.  The Board takes an active role in helping set priorities for the types of cases we accept and in ensuring compliance with our funders.

Our Mission:

Northwestern Legal Services assists low-income individuals and families by guiding them through the civil legal system using advocacy and education to seek justice with the goal of improving quality of life and thereby strengthening our communities.