Job Description

The Staff Attorney will assist the Clinic Director in providing legal services to Military Veterans and other clients throughout Metropolitan Detroit in practice areas ranging from criminal law to consumer rights, family law, landlord-tenant disputes, veterans benefits, and more. This Staff Attorney position will be designated to handle Military Veterans in addition to working with other clients, staff members, and interns in office settings, court proceedings and various outreach programs. The Staff Attorney will not maintain any form of outside practice and will not represent private clients or take any new clients without Director’s approval. There is no requirement for billable hours and a healthy work-life balance is encouraged. WBLAC is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Essential Responsibilities:

Through free legal assistance and community legal education, our designated Veteran Staff Attorney will bring hope, dignity, and justice to low-income veterans and other vulnerable Metro-Detroit residents. Legal assistance at WBLAC ranges from advice and brief service to full representation before administrative agencies and state trial courts. Our Veteran Staff Attorney will appear in court and serve clients out in the community through targeted outreach events. The Veteran Staff Attorney will be given an opportunity for professional growth through a wide variety of responsibilities:

• Acting as point person for all Veteran clients and issues.
• Interviewing and providing legal advice to clients.
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents.
• Conducting legal research and analysis.
• Representing clients in court proceedings.
• Negotiating settlements and agreements.
• Preparing and filing legal documents with the court.
• Attending hearings, depositions, mediations, and other meetings.
• Maintaining client confidentiality.
• Communicate with clients, internal staff, and others to ensure cases are handled appropriately.
• Prioritize and manage a high volume of files with a great attention to detail and under strict deadlines.
• Perform quality control reviews of documents and staff work.
• Demonstrate a proficiency in inputting and maintaining information into a case management system to ensure data integrity.
• Provide supervision for law student interns and externs.
• Assist in all educational roles.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and adjusting WBLAC’s outreach strategies.
• Represent The Salvation Army William Booth Legal Aid Clinic at specific outreach functions.
• Assist in fundraising for and promotion of the WBLAC.
• Assist and support Clinic Director, as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience:

• Be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan with an interest in issues affecting Military Veterans.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to work independently

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Certificates and Licenses:

• Complete Safe From Harm and keep current as required.
• Must have a current valid driver’s license and pass the Salvation Army Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR)

Qualifications

The Salvation Army offers the following benefits:

• Health Care Benefits which include:
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Hearing
• Flexible spending accounts
• AFLAC
• Voluntary life insurance benefits
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability options
• Pet Insurance
• Pension contributions (currently 6.0% of your earnings) begin the first quarter after 1 year of employment.
• Vesting starts after three years of employment, 100% vested after five years of employment
• The Salvation Army also offers a 403(b) voluntary retirement savings plan in which you may participate immediately, with approved vendors. There is currently no organizational match for 403(b) contributions.
• Employee Discounts
• Paid Time Off which includes:
• Sick days begin accruing the first of the month after one full calendar month after employment begins, and you may begin to use sick days after (90) days of employment.
• Up to (4) earned sick days per year may be used as discretionary days.
• Vacation begins accruing the first of the month after one full calendar month after employment begins, and you may begin to use vacation days after (90) days of employment.
• The accrual rate is based upon years of service and approved hours worked.
• You will receive up to 2 personal days and 2 floating holidays per year based on date of hire.
• Birthday off with pay.
• Paid holidays are effective immediately.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.

Mission Statement:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.