Job Summary
Attorneys at Utah Legal Services provide ethical and competent legal representation and client support services to clients from low income and disadvantaged communities across the state of Utah. Representation responsibilities include attending hearings and court proceedings, negotiation, document preparation and filing, and superior case management to achieve optimal outcomes for clients.
Job Responsibilities and Duties
Client Support
• Communicate with clients to determine eligibility and goals, present legal strategies and possible outcomes to clients to develop legal action plan; assess factual situations, advise client on how governing laws impact their situation.
• Review cases with clients, prepare clients for hearings and legal procedures.
• Advocate for clients, advise on rights and responsibilities, and provide updates on developments and case status.
Court Administration and Hearings
• Attend hearings, court proceedings and mediations and present legal theories to judges representing clients as an advocate.
• Represent clients, negotiate possible settlements, mitigate consequences to clients, in court and online, during non-evidentiary hearings, case management conferences and pre-trial hearings.
Document Preparation
• Prepare, draft, edit and file court documents to implement client goals.
• Ensure copies of court documents are provided to opposing council.
• Prepare pleadings, exhibits, motions, memorandum, discovery documents, motions, responses, administrative letters, briefs, petitions and counter petitions as needed for case progression and resolution.
• Review paralegal prepared documents, declarations and findings of facts; ensure document compliance with grantees and regulatory governing bodies.
Case Management
• Manage, organize and strategically review case action.
• Research records, databases, rules, regulations and state and federal statutes and laws; provide analysis and summaries to support case progression.
• Review cases for merit and gather information to inform the case acceptance committee.
• Update case progression, close cases and ensure casework meets the compliance requirements for Legal Services Corporation.
Administrative Duties
• Attend trainings and Task Force meetings; complete appropriate CLEs.
About the Organization
Our Mission: To protect the rights of the disadvantaged and persons of limited means by legal representation, advocacy and education throughout Utah.
Equal Justice Under Law is one of our nation’s most basic principles. Economic realities leave these promises too often unfulfilled. Since our inception as a nonprofit law office in 1976, Utah Legal Services (ULS) has been committed to making equal justice a reality by providing civil legal aid services to low-income Utahans. We level the playing field, ensuring everyone has a voice in the legal system. Every year, ULS provides legal assistance and representation to move than 1,000 low-income households to address fundamental human needs including housing, family safety, and income security. More than 65 attorneys and legal professionals deliver individual and systematic client services from four regional offices in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and St. George.
Utah Legal Services Legal Divisions
Family Law: ULS helps victims of domestic violence obtain protective and restraining orders, helps parents obtain and keep custody of their children, and assist family members in obtaining guardianships for children without parents.
Housing: ULS helps clients to resolve landlord-tenant disputes, helps homeowners prevent foreclosures, help renters with eviction notices, and helps individuals maintain federal housing subsidies.
Public Benefits: ULS helps clients obtain promised compensation from private employers, and helps people obtain and retain government benefits such as disability, veteran’s compensation, and unemployment compensation benefits to which they are entitled.
Consumer Issues: ULS provides legal services to protect elderly and vulnerable groups from being victimized by unscrupulous lenders and helping people manage their debts.
Utah Legal Services also provides legal support for qualified individuals through our Migrant Farm Workers Program, Native American Program and Senior/Elder Law case services.
Skills and Abilities
• Excellent interpersonal abilities, verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of adaptability and attention to detail with strong analytic and critical thinking abilities.
• Demonstration of a strong commitment to assisting individuals from disadvantaged communities.
• Professional experience in one of the organization’s Core Case Service Areas (Domestic/Family, Housing, Public Benefits, or Consumer Law).
• Spanish speaking preferred.
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Admission and Good Standing within the Utah State Bar Association.
Job Factors/Physical Requirements
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
Supervisory Responsibilities
• None
Interested candidates should submit a resume and a list of three professional references, including their contact information, and a letter of application explaining your interest in the position and how you would contribute to the professional culture of ULS. Applications should be submitted by email to: [email protected].
Applications received until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, please submit your application by March 15, 2021. The successful candidate is expected to start approximately April 1, 2021. Due to the pandemic, it is anticipated that work will primarily be completed remotely through Fall, 2021. Salary is commensurate with experience and the organization provides excellent benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance, paid sick and annual leave, and 401(K).
Questions regarding the application process should be directed to:
Lindsey Thurgood
[email protected]
(801) 328-8891 ext. 3328
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
