Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (NNJLS) seeks to fill the position of Coordinating Attorney for its Pro Bono Partnerships Project in our Paterson, NJ office. This is a full-time position with the ability to work a hybrid schedule. NNJLS is a non-profit public interest law firm with over 120 staff providing free legal services to low-income and senior residents of Hudson, Bergen and Passaic Counties, New Jersey. NNJLS provides a wide variety of civil legal assistance and advocacy for those most in need of legal representation, such as victims of domestic violence, tenants facing unfair and arbitrary eviction, seniors victimized by unscrupulous creditors and clients facing many other types of legal matters. NNJLS is committed to the principle that all persons should be treated equally and fairly by our civil justice system. NNJLS seeks dynamic employees who want to make a real difference in the lives of those most in need.

The Pro Bono Partnerships Project (PBPP) works directly with private volunteer attorneys to provide legal assistance to low-income residents in the NNJLS service area. PBPP also provides access to other legal services including advice sessions and clinics in a variety of legal topics.

The Coordinating Attorney’s primary responsibilities include:
• Recruitment and retention of volunteer attorneys, including those from law firms, corporate counsel, solo practitioners, law students, and local bar organizations;
• Case management of all pro bono cases, including determining and analyzing legal issues, referral to volunteer attorneys, follow-up with volunteer attorneys on case progress and updates, communicating with clients when issues or questions arise as to their legal issue or status, and overseeing appropriate case closure, including obtaining closing notes, documents, and time spent from volunteer attorneys;
• Supervision of three County Coordinators, who are responsible for direct client communications, client file management, case reporting requirements, and administrative tasks;
• With support from other PBPP staff, operation and oversight of legal clinics, including working with legal partners to schedule, coordinate, and host legal clinics, both virtually and in-person, in a variety of legal areas; and
• Oversight of case management and reporting requirements in case management system (Legal Server), including reviewing individual cases for compliance and ensuring accurate and complete document and case information is uploaded.
• Other duties as required to fulfill the unit’s objectives.

NNJLS offers a positive workplace among colleagues who enjoy and are passionate about their work, and the program’s mission to promoting equity and a client-centered legal practice. We encourage a supportive, teamwork driven environment, with work-life balance. NNJLS provides an attractive starting salary of $88,000 for this position, commensurate with prior experience, and a generous fringe benefits package, including but not limited to 4 weeks’ vacation, 15 sick days, 14 paid holidays, comprehensive health/dental/life insurance, 10% employer contribution to a 401(a) retirement plan, and a voluntary 403(b) retirement plan (employee contribution). Employment at NNJLS also provides access to federal loan forgiveness programs for those that qualify, payment of NJ Attorney Annual Registration fees, training and remote work opportunities.