East River Legal Services (ERLS) is hiring a Managing Attorney for our Sioux Falls office. This is a role for someone ready to build a team and design the legal department of your dreams. 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.

Job Summary:

The Managing Attorney provides and oversees high-quality civil legal services to low-income individuals and families. This is a senior management position based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Managing Attorney supervises, evaluates, and addresses personnel-related matters for professional and support staff within designated units, while ensuring alignment with ERLS’s mission, advocacy principles, priorities, and work plans. The Managing Attorney also maintains an active caseload and/or engages in other substantive advocacy. 

Essential Functions:

Client Representation & Advocacy

• Provide and ensure high-quality legal representation in accordance with ERLS standards of practice and the Rules of Professional Conduct, including client interviews, legal research, factual investigation, preparation of pleadings, negotiation, discovery, motion practice, and representation in court and administrative hearings. 
• Provide legal advice, brief services, and referrals, as appropriate. 
• Co-counsel with other attorneys and collaborate with paralegals and support staff. 
• Represent clients and client groups in litigation, administrative advocacy, and other advocacy forums. 
• Engage in appellate advocacy, complex or impact litigation, and special projects as assigned. 
• Develop and implement litigation and advocacy strategies to address systemic legal problems affecting low-income communities. 
• Analyze and comment on pending legislation and regulations, consistent with the requirements of all funding sources. 

Leadership & Management 

• Manage and oversee legal work within the office, including workload distribution, case management, and quality control. 
• Supervise attorneys, advocates, and support staff through ongoing feedback, coaching, and formal performance evaluations. 
• Oversee office systems including conflicts checks, filing, case tracking, and workflow processes. 
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture. 
• Monitor casework to ensure efficiency, compliance, and high-quality legal services. 
• Monitor and balance staff time devoted to direct client services and broader law reform, policy advocacy, and systemic work. 
• Participate in agency-wide management and administrative decision-making and support implementation of organizational decisions. 
• Supervise and evaluate support staff in coordination with the Executive Director. 
• Enforce ERLS policies and procedures consistently and fairly. 
• Communicate staff concerns and relevant office issues to ERLS management. 
• Keep staff informed of significant developments within the community and the legal services field. 
• Provide substantive legal updates and training related to the Managing Attorney’s practice areas. 
• Engage in local, state, regional, and national legal services and advocacy networks. 
• Maintain professional knowledge by reviewing relevant legal and professional materials.

Community & External Relations

• Participate in community education, outreach, and permissible legislative and administrative advocacy related to poverty law, in accordance with Legal Aid policy and applicable laws. 
• Serve on Legal Aid, statewide, and community task forces and work groups. 
• Participate in South Dakota Bar activities and build strong relationships with members of the private bar. 
• Ensure ERLS develops and maintains effective partnerships with courts, the judiciary, nonprofit organizations, grassroots groups, government agencies, and elected officials.

Other Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all Legal Services Corporation (LSC), VOCA, and other funder requirements. 
• Participate in training activities as both a trainee and trainer to support professional development. 
• Promptly report any bar grievances, disciplinary proceedings, or malpractice claims to Legal Aid management and cooperate with liability insurers. 
• Develop and maintain a case handler’s manual outlining departmental policies and procedures. 
• Support intake operations as needed. 
• Attend and help facilitate effective program and office meetings.

Job Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school. 
• Active license to practice law in South Dakota (or ability to obtain promptly). 
• Prior experience in legal services or a nonprofit environment preferred. 
• Working knowledge of state and federal law affecting low-income clients. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal case management systems. 
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and supervisory skills. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Ability to build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, problem-solve, meet deadlines, and work under pressure. 
• Notary Public (or willingness to obtain). 
• Spanish language skills preferred, but not required. 
• This position requires an in-office presence, with eligibility to request remote work in accordance with the ERLS Remote Work Policy.

Salary:

$90,069.41 to $133,073.54/year, depending on experience.   

Benefits include 14 paid holidays, 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   

lea@erlservices.org   

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.