Intake Attorney
East River Legal Services (ERLS) is hiring an Intake Attorney for our Sioux Falls office. This is a role for someone ready to step into leadership with an already well-established team. ERLS is a non-profit law firm serving low-income individuals in the 33 eastern South Dakota counties. East River Legal Services exists to better the lives of the over 56,000 people living in poverty in South Dakota. We prioritize services to our most vulnerable citizens, including our community's Veterans, older Americans (60+), people with disabilities, victims of crime, and all those facing financial insecurity.
General Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Intake Attorney is responsible for managing the intake team, rendering legal support services including, but not limited to: meeting with clients (in-person or on the phone), creating advice letter templates on each new legal issue that arises, keeping letter templates up to date with changing laws or new discoveries, drafting pro se templates for civil actions that are not available from UJS, developing scripts for intake staff as well as performing other duties as assigned. The Intake Attorney does not maintain an active caseload beyond brief services.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Oversees online and in person applications for legal assistance.
- Advises Intake Specialists regarding conflicts of interest and duplicate applications.
- Screens completed intakes to confirm appropriate advice and level of service.
- Handles emergency eviction cases as brief service by helping clients with answers as well as simple negotiations for mutual termination of lease without eviction.
- Notify Managing Attorney of all other emergency cases to be reviewed for immediate assignment.
- Occasional brief service drafting documents for clients to file on their own.
- Drafts advice letters.
- Assigns simple advice letters to intake staff to set up with client information and case facts.
- Provides legal advice by phone call to clients that need more than basic information and legal advice.
- Supervises UJS Pro Se Forms Clinics using staff and volunteers.
- Trains and coaches intake team through ongoing performance feedback, legal update and process training, and annual reviews.
Qualifications:
- Applicants must be licensed to practice law in South Dakota or be eligible for admission by motion.
- At least two (2) years of supervisor experience.
- Previous experience in poverty law or with crime victims is preferred, but not required.
- Demonstrable awareness and sensitivity to the needs of the populations we serve is necessary.
- Organized, able to prioritize work, plan and problem-solve, meet deadlines and work well under pressure.
- Excellent management and leadership skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and with a team.
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
- Proficient at the use of technology, including, but not limited to: word processing, spreadsheets, internet-based programs, and computer-based legal research.
- Must be dependable and reliable.
- Ability to travel, occasionally overnight.
- The ability to speak more than one language is a plus.
- This position requires an in-office presence during office hours, with the opportunity to request remote work pursuant to the ERLS Remote Work Policy.
Salary:
- $71,733.60 to $105,983.20/year, depending on experience.
- Benefits include 14 paid holidays plus a birthday holiday, vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, IRA, and travel reimbursement.
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and references to:
Lea Wroblewski
Executive Director
East River Legal Services
335 North Main Avenue, Suite #200
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Submission Deadline:
Open until filled
East River Legal Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other traditionally underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.