Staff Attorney: Medical Legal Partnership for Children

Position Available:
Staff Attorney:
Medical Legal Partnership for Children

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), a non-profit regional law firm with a long history of representing people living on low incomes in Ohio in achieving equal justice and opportunity, seeks a Staff Attorney supporting the Medical-Legal Partnership for Children (MLPC) practice group. This position will be based out of ABLE’s Toledo office.

About ABLE
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) is a nonprofit law firm established over 50 years ago to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities have the same access to justice as people and companies that can afford to retain an attorney. ABLE and its partner law firm, Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), are the only law firms available for comprehensive legal representation in non-criminal matters for more than 425,000 people living, working, and raising their families with low-income in Northwest and West Central Ohio. ABLE advocates for – and with – financially disadvantaged individuals and communities to effectuate just and equitable policy changes that address the structural causes of poverty and to protect their right to fairness and justice in the legal system.

The Opportunity

The Medical-Legal Partnership for Children (MLPC) is a joint initiative between ABLE and healthcare providers in Toledo, designed to improve children’s health by integrating legal services within pediatric care settings. The MLPC Staff Attorney will provide comprehensive legal assistance to families of pediatric patients, addressing diverse legal issues impacting low-income families. This role requires collaboration with healthcare providers, community organizations, and ABLE staff.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Legal Representation and Case Management
o Deliver high-quality legal services through counsel, negotiation, litigation, and administrative representation, addressing client needs in a professional, courteous manner.
o Work with community members, medical providers, and parent groups to identify problems they would like to solve within their neighborhoods, schools, and other environments
o Build relationships and allow community and parent groups to drive advocacy around the issues they believe are most important, including affected people at every step of the process to ensure that decisions are responsive to the community’s needs
o Work with medical providers, community members, and parent groups on policy and legislative advocacy issues that impact the health of children and families
o Maintain a manageable caseload, with a focus on cases involving recurring community legal issues, utilizing litigation, negotiation, policy and legislative advocacy, community lawyering, and community education to address systemic challenges.
o Ensure familiarity with relevant federal, state, and local court and agency procedures, while developing expertise in one or more areas of poverty law.
Community Engagement and Education
o Build strong relationships with healthcare providers, human services, and other relevant organizations to advocate for community legal needs.
o Participate in outreach and educational activities to support ABLE’s mission and the MLPC, including orientations for healthcare providers on identifying legal issues affecting health.
Supervision and Administration
o Oversee the work of assigned paralegals, law clerks, interns, and volunteers, ensuring the quality and effectiveness of legal support.
o Complete all required administrative tasks, including timekeeping, case management, and reporting, adhering to internal guidelines and funding requirements.
Other Duties
o Support ABLE’s fundraising and public relations initiatives as needed.
o Travel as necessary for job duties, including occasional overnight trips.
o Other duties as assigned

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

• Strong commitment to advocacy for people living on low-incomes and ABLE’s mission, with experience and advocacy skills in serving low-income populations and addressing related challenges.
• Proven dependability, initiative, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse, collaborative team, demonstrating creativity in problem-solving.
• A licensed attorney eligible for Ohio Bar admission by motion or passage of next available bar exam, with experience in civil rights litigation, trial advocacy, child advocacy, housing law, government benefits, or special education strongly preferred. Familiarity with community lawyering preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and demonstrated administrative skills
• Flexibility and readiness to travel across the service area; must hold a valid driver’s license and auto insurance.

Compensation, Benefits, and Work Location
ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The starting annual salary range for this position is $68,000-$102,000 depending on experience. Comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, supplemental language compensation, annual leave, and paid parental leave.

To Apply: Please visit https://www.ablelaw.org/careers-with-able to submit your application. Position will remain open until filled.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and places a high value on diversity in our workplace, including diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals and we encourage applications from individuals traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at [email protected].