Staff Attorney - Elder Law

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc. (SMRLS) is seeking to fill an elder law attorney position in its Southwest Region. The position can be housed in any of our regional offices and is hybrid-remote.
SMRLS is a client-centered organization committed to its mission of providing a full range of high quality legal services in a respectful manner, which enables clients to enforce their legal rights, maintain freedom from hunger, homelessness, sickness and abuse; and to empower persons and ensure equal opportunity, thus helping persons to help themselves and become economically self-reliant, to the extent their individual ability and circumstances permit. SMRLS values, welcomes and promotes diversity in all aspects of its work. SMRLS has adopted practice standards, guiding principles, and racial justice policies to accomplish its mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Staff attorneys provide a full range of legal services in a wide variety of case types affecting critical legal needs of elder clients in compliance with Title III-B of the Older Americans Act. SMRLS represents clients in negotiations, administrative hearings, court hearings, and appeals. Our Elder Law unit handles cases involving long-term care discharges/evictions; reduction, termination or denial of Medical Assistance long-term care services; preventing, stopping, and recovering from elder abuse; and other case types as necessary.
Staff Attorneys also perform outreach and community legal education for older residents throughout SMRLS’ service area, intake responsibilities as necessary, and maintain active bar participation. Applicants must be willing to maintain a caseload in compliance with SMRLS’ written practice standards and observe SMRLS’ policies, practices and guiding principles in furtherance of SMRLS’ mission.

QUALIFICATIONS
Licensure to practice law in Minnesota preferred. Law students and graduates who have sat the February 2025 bar exam or will sit the July 2025 bar exam may also apply. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with low-income clients, people with disabilities, victims of domestic abuse, and persons of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds is essential. Courtroom and/or administrative hearing experience is preferred. Excellent communication skills, ability to work positively and constructively with others in a teamwork setting, good judgment, and the ability to work hard, independently, efficiently and under pressure is necessary. Must be willing and able to travel to court proceedings, outreach/education activities, and other SMRLS-required events throughout SMRLS’ service area.

SALARY
Starting salary for experienced candidate $80,010 DOE and according to scale. Good benefits provided. Pre-bar candidates will be paid an equivalent hourly wage until successful passing of the bar.

DEADLINE TO APPLY
Applications may be considered until position is filled.

Please apply online or submit cover letter, resume and references to:
Rachael Funk
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
55 East Fifth Street, Suite 400
Saint Paul, MN 55101-1473

[email protected]

SMRLS IS COMMITTED TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL WORKERS, REGARDLESS OF RACE, GENDER, DISABILITY OR OTHER PROTECTED CLASS STATUS. SMRLS IS COMMITTED TO COMPLIANCE WITH ALL FEDERAL, STATE,
AND LOCAL ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS AND REGULATIONS. ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.