Job Opportunities

Position Overview

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), a non-profit law firm which provides free legal help to low-income individuals, is currently hiring a fulltime staff attorney for the Southwest Minnesota Region. SMRLS is looking for qualified candidates to provide a full range of high-quality legal services, in a respectful manner which enables our clients to enforce their legal rights.

This position is officed out of either SMRLS's Mankato or Worthington office.  Remote work 3 days a week is allowable.  Applicants with significant commutes needing a flexible remote work opportunity are encouraged to apply.  SMRLS is an organization that qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.    

SMRLS is a client-centered organization looking for qualified candidates to provide a full range of high-quality legal services, in a respectful manner which enables our clients to enforce their legal rights consistent with our mission statement which can be found at https://www.smrls.org/about-us/mission/ 

As a non-profit law firm SMRLS receives federal, state, local, public, and private funding to provide free legal help to low income and elderly people.  Started in 1909, we are Minnesota’s oldest legal aid program, with an established a tradition of partnership in providing access to justice with the private bar, a bi-partisan Legislature, the Minnesota Supreme Court and other Minnesota Legal Services Coalition programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES: With the assistance of a strong knowledgeable support staff the attorney in this position will provide representation and advice directly to clients assigned to the family law unit. The family law unit provides legal services in contested matters involving dissolution of marriage, custody, parenting time, and protection orders for victims.

Duties include client interviewing and counseling, drafting pleadings, discovery requests, and court appearances.  Types of cases assigned will vary based upon client and firm needs.  Applicant preferred case type will also be considered.

The staff attorney must be willing to maintain a caseload in compliance with SMRLS’ written practice standards, guiding principles, federal regulations, and other SMRLS Board policies in furtherance of SMRLS’ Mission.  Some community education, outreach, and active bar participation are also expected.

QUALIFICATIONS

·       Licensed to practice in Minnesota; those sitting for the bar exam will be considered.

·       Two years of family law experience or other work in a legal setting is preferred.  Applicants with less than two years of family law experience will be considered.  

·       Experience working in low-income communities, including victims of domestic abuse and individuals from other cultural backgrounds, or other demonstrated interest in working with low-income clients is preferred.

·       Computer competence and proficiency with Microsoft products and zoom.

·       Effective communication skills; ability to work constructively with others in a team and individual settings; good judgment; ability to learn quickly and work efficiently under pressure.

SALARY: The base salary, with no experience, is $80,010.  Those with relevant experience are eligible for a higher salary depending on qualifications.  SMRLS offers robust health insurance for employees and families and a generous paid time off (PTO) allowance.

Position Overview: As soon as practical. Position is open until filled.

TO APPLY:  Apply online at https://www.smrls.org/about-us/job-opportunities/

Please submit your resume, a cover letter, list of three references, and a writing sample to:

Karla Kluzak, Family Law Attorney

SMRLS

12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 3000

Mankato, MN  56001

You may also apply by email addressed to:

Karla Kluzak, Family Law Attorney at karla.kluzak@smrls.org

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.

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc., (SMRLS) is seeking an experienced attorney to lead its Metro Region Family Law Unit. The unit currently has three staff attorneys and one paralegal and provides high-quality legal services to low-income persons and eligible client groups in family civil matters.

SMRLS values, welcomes, and promotes diversity in all aspects of its work. SMRLS serves clients from a wide range of backgrounds. SMRLS Board approved a Racial Justice policy to guide the firm’s legal work.

Responsibilities 

The Lead Attorney is responsible for the leadership and general supervision of the Metro Family Law Unit, including the quality of the legal work. The Lead Attorney supports and supervises the work of the Unit’s attorneys and paralegal, and oversees community education, outreach, and related activities. 

Specific responsibilities include:

·         representing clients in contested court proceedings; 

·         developing unit and individual work plans;

·         case reviews with staff attorneys; 

·         job performance evaluations; 

·         legal advocacy and counseling in custody, marital dissolution, domestic abuse, and other civil legal matters; 

·         encouraging staff development; 

·         ensuring appropriate staff participation in client, private bar, and community activities; 

·         making case acceptance decisions in accordance with SMRLS’ case acceptance policies; 

·         resolving client grievances; 

·         communicating policies and procedures to unit staff and the client community; 

·         working to ensure collaboration and effective referrals between all substantive units;

·         handling day-to-day personnel issues; 

·         participating in supervisor meetings for the Metro region and firmwide family law leadership meetings; 

·         meeting grant requirements and assisting with writing grant applications and reports; 

·         ensuring compliance with SMRLS’ policies, and state and federal law; 

·         working with other members of SMRLS’ leadership team in maintaining and building a positive, productive, open, and helpful work environment; and,

·         fully implementing SMRLS values and policies.  

Community education, outreach, bar participation and community involvement are also expected activities. Assignments may change over time based upon client and firm needs. Other types of cases and responsibilities may be assigned depending upon client and program needs.

Required Qualifications

·         At least five years of attorney experience.  

·         Must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota.

·         A broad-based knowledge of poverty law issues.  

·         Experience working in the areas of custody, domestic abuse, and marital dissolution law.  

·         Demonstrated ability to work effectively with low-income clients of diverse backgrounds.  

·         Good communication skills; ability to work constructively with others as a team; good judgment; ability to learn quickly and to work hard, independently, and under pressure; and ability to handle contested hearings.  

·         Basic computer competence.

Preferred Qualifications

·         Prior legal work supervision or other relevant management experience.  

·         Experience as a supervisor and working constructively on personnel issues.  

·         Non-academic experience working in low-income communities, or other activities that demonstrate an interest in working with low-income clients, will be given great weight.  Fluency in a second language, particularly Spanish or Somali.  

Salary

The salary is $96,755+ DOE, pursuant to scale. Good benefits provided.

Starting Date  

 As soon as possible. Position is open until filled.

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.