OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services. OLC operates eleven offices around the state. It has a litigation support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program.
OLC strives to create a supportive work culture enriched by values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for all staff. Our commitment to advancing DEI work is deeply connected to our ability to achieve client-oriented advocacy and access to justice for our low-income communities. The diversity of our staff is a strength and an asset to our organization that helps reflect and effectively advocate for our low-income client communities of diverse backgrounds.
POSITION: Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time staff attorney to provide civil legal services to low-income clients. The position is based in Portland and primarily serves clients in Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Deschutes, Jefferson, Sherman, and Crook counties. OLC’s Portland Regional Office comprises five attorneys and two paralegals and works in partnership with OLC’s Salem Office. We set priorities according to client need; current priorities are housing, employment, administrative, health, education, consumer, tax, and civil rights. We seek to make a real difference in clients’ lives and to help eliminate the barriers that cause poverty or reduce our clients’ ability to escape poverty.
The staff attorney will handle impact litigation and individual cases, with a significant emphasis on impact work in state and federal courts. The attorney will conduct community education and outreach to clients and community-based groups, which includes irregular hours, frequent daytime travel and occasional overnight travel. There are also opportunities to promote the interests of low-income individuals in the development and implementation of laws, regulations, policies and practices that directly affect our clients.
SALARY/BENEFITS: The salary scale ranges from $65,500 to $102,500, and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience as an attorney. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid moving expenses and bar study leave, among others.
• Admission to Oregon Bar, reciprocal eligibility for admission, or availability to sit for next exam.
• A minimum of basic skills in Spanish and a willingness to improve language competency.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
• A high degree of initiative and ability to independently manage a caseload.
• Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to take direction and guidance from low-income clients and their self-identified priorities and
work for solutions within the legal process.
• Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
• Commitment to developing litigation and other advocacy skills.
• Interest in thinking creatively about how to address our clients’ legal issues.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe, Zoom, and cloud-based
phone services.
OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented groups, such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others. Even if you are unsure whether you meet every qualification described, we welcome your application.
PREFERENCES:
• Experience representing low-income clients, especially non-English-speaking communities.
• Experience with complex, impact litigation.
• Between two and ten years of legal experience.
Resume review begins on December 31, 2024. Open until filled. To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Heather Kemper, Deputy Director, [email protected].
As part of your cover letter, please describe your Spanish proficiency level and address the following:
OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. It is essential to our work to serve clients that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued.
How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to:
(1) serve our diverse client communities effectively,
(2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own,
(3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients and some colleagues face, and
(4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice?
Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.
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