Staff Attorney-Standing With Our Neighbors in Atlanta, Georgia at Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation Inc

Position Summary

The Staff Attorney is a full-time position in the Standing With Our Neighbors™ Program (“SWON”) in Atlanta, Georgia. Standing With Our Neighbors is a part of the Safe and Stable Homes project that addresses housing instability for families residing in geographic areas at the heart of the City of Atlanta’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative and Atlanta Public Schools attendance zones. AVLF is devoting considerable volunteer resources to improving living conditions and housing stability in the target neighborhoods to reduce student enrollment turnover and enhance student attendance and performance. SWON focuses on outreach and tenant education, close coordination with community partners, advocacy, and direct legal representation of tenants. Specifically, AVLF’s legal advocacy aims to halt evictions and resolve underlying issues – including heading off evictions before they are filed, forcing repair of deplorable conditions, preserving housing subsidies, and/or securing compensation for lost property and other damages. Clients access legal services through AVLF’s existing programs and clinics.

The Staff Attorney will have an individual caseload of housing cases and assist pro bono volunteer attorneys with cases. Additionally, the Staff Attorney will engage in community lawyering for the selected neighborhoods, which entails community education efforts, training for volunteer firms, and building and maintaining relationships with community partners/organizations alongside a community advocate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Representing tenants in evictions and affirmative cases against landlords, including researching and drafting pleadings and motions, engaging in discovery, negotiating resolutions with opposing parties, appearing for formal and informal hearings and case conferences, assessing appeal potential, etc.
• Appearing in court frequently and, when necessary, on short notice, including responding to time-sensitive court matters as they arise.
• Working closely with families and in tandem with volunteer attorneys to prevent neighborhood displacement and ensure safe and healthy living conditions. Collecting and evaluating evidence; recruiting, training, coordinating, advising, and supervising volunteer attorneys providing pro bono representation to tenants; conducting legal research for volunteer attorneys.
• Working closely with the Community Advocates to host “Know Your Rights" presentations for tenants, community legal clinics, community tours, and other community events.
• Serving as a program liaison to the media when requested and available.
• Taking a leadership role in partnering with community organizations and other non-profits, engaging in reciprocal services to further AVLF’s leadership and credibility in the community. Remaining highly visible in the legal community.
• Serving as a liaison to community partners, including spending time embedded in APS Student and Family Support Hubs and maintaining “office hours” to meet with families.
• Managing an individual caseload of clients.
• Maintaining accurate records of client services.
• Conducting “refresher” trainings for volunteer attorneys on legal topics, including professionalism, ethics, and other relevant subject areas.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• JD degree and a license to practice law in Georgia.
• Up to two (2) years of relevant legal experience preferred. Candidates with additional relevant experience are also encouraged to apply.
• Previous litigation experience representing tenants and/or experience representing low-income clients is strongly preferred.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and legal services to low-income individuals and/or communities, whether through pro bono work or otherwise.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including comfort with public speaking and presenting to groups.
• Ability to communicate and build effective relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and across a range of constituencies, including clients, community partners, school personnel, volunteers, and attorneys.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to adapt in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and sound judgment in carrying out responsibilities.
• Ability to receive and incorporate constructive feedback and seek guidance or clarification when appropriate.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and professionalism in workplace interactions.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment and management.
• Comfortable learning and working with new technology and proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel is a plus.
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish is not required but will be given a strong preference.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: AVLF covers 100% of employee-only Medical and Dental.
• Voluntary Benefits: 100% employer-paid coverage for group life, long-term disability, and short-term disability.
• Retirement: AVLF contributes 5% of your salary to a retirement plan—no employee match required.
• Paid Time Off: Includes 21 PTO days (prorated), 2 floating personal days, and twice-yearly wellness leave.
• Student Loan Assistance: Up to $500/month ($6,000/year) with a lifetime maximum of $60,000.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Supportive services available for employees.

Working Conditions:

AVLF is a hybrid organization. Work is performed remotely and in office environments, with travel to meetings, community sites, and client-related activities as needed. Work may involve a fast-paced environment requiring multitasking, prolonged sitting and/or standing, and occasional evening or weekend availability to support meetings, outreach activities, trainings, or client needs.