Job Announcement
Position: Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Coordinator
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota seeks to fill the new position for Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Coordinator.
Organization:
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (LASNEM) provides legal representation to low-income and senior citizens in 11 counties with offices in Duluth, Grand Rapids, Virginia, Brainerd and Pine City. Since LASNEM was founded in 1952, it has become an integral part of the justice system and a cornerstone of Northeastern Minnesota’s commitment to the proposition that equal access to justice is a basic human right. In addition to a full range of general poverty law services, LASNEM operates special projects to focus on the unique needs of the clients we serve, such as the Crow Wing County Eviction Clinic, the Native American Elder Legal Outreach Project, Domestic Violence Courts in both Crow Wing and Itasca Counties, the Iron Range Homelessness Prevention Project, and the Housing Quality Improvement Project. LASNEM is also one of the seven legal services programs that form the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition.
In every case that we handle, our goal is always to help our clients reach sustainable, holistic resolutions to the problems they face. Legal problems do not arise in a vacuum, nor does resolving a legal matter always achieve the client’s goals of safety, stability and opportunity. To that end, we work closely with a large number of community partners all across our service area. Working in tandem with our community partners can often spark a virtuous cycle of success for our mutual clients.
LASNEM has full-time legal staff that handle civil cases in certain areas of the law, but the demand for services far exceeds LASNEM’s available staff resources. In the state of Minnesota, civil legal service programs turn away 66% of the need, leaving those who cannot afford an attorney with limited options for legal assistance. Civil legal aid depends on the private bar to help address the justice gap by volunteering their expertise to provide civil legal assistance through legal advice panels, legal clinics, or fully representing clients through the finish of their legal matter. LASNEM’s PAI Program engages the private bar of Northeastern Minnesota in opportunities for volunteering.
Responsibilities:
The Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Coordinator is a non-exempt position. The PAI Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of PAI services to clients in LASNEM’s eleven county service area. The PAI Coordinator, supervised by the PAI Manager, provides a critical role by supporting the operations of case placement and volunteer attorney recruitment. The PAI Coordinator is a point of contact for clients triaged to LASNEM’s PAI Program. The PAI Manager and PAI Coordinator will work collaboratively on the daily operations of the PAI Program, which will include clerical and administrative support to the program, developing new PAI opportunities for volunteer attorneys, case placement strategy, Judicare administration, and coordination of trainings and clinics.
The PAI Coordinator will maintain systems for tracking volunteer attorney data and case management. The PAI Coordinator will assist with the coordination of legal service clinics. From time to time the PAI Coordinator will assist with intake in certain circumstances, such as virtual and off-site clinics and in circumstances where LASNEM’s intake staff may not complete intake. The PAI Coordinator will assist the PAI Manager with volunteer attorney recognition efforts. The PAI Coordinator will also support resource development, fundraising efforts, and other duties as determined by the PAI Manager or Executive Director. The responsibilities of this position may change over time based on the client and LASNEM PAI Program needs.
The PAI Coordinator will work virtually with the ability to attend in person meetings. There will also be office space available in most LASNEM offices.
Compensation:
Salary dependent on years of experience, pursuant to the current pay scale. LASNEM offers a comprehensive benefits package with excellent health, dental, life and disability insurance, 403(b) retirement plan; exceptionality generous paid time off, and observes federal holidays.
Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Qualifications:
Previous experience in areas of poverty law is preferred but not required. Paralegal or legal assistant background would make candidate more competitive. Demonstrable awareness and sensitivity to the needs of the populations we serve is necessary. Excellent interpersonal communication skills are required to work with clients, volunteer attorneys and the general public. The PAI Coordinator must have the ability to problem solve quickly and work with a fast pace. They must exercise judgment in implementing established policies and procedures and maintaining confidentiality of all information in the office. Must be fluent in English, have good typing skills, and have skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications. Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and processes and good oral and written communication skills are essential. The PAI Coordinator must be motivated, courteous, punctual, honest, trustworthy, have a willingness to grow, and be professional in appearance and demeanor. Applicants must be flexible and willing to accept additional duties as necessary.
Please submit a letter of interest, resume and references via email only to:
Dori Streit, Executive Director
[email protected]
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
