Housing Stability and Housing Preservation Project

Are you interested in using your legal skills to help address housing instability and ensure that low-income West Virginians can obtain and maintain safe, stable housing?

Legal Aid of West Virginia (LAWV) is seeking a skilled, motivated attorney to help change the lives of vulnerable clients in our Parkersburg office. Through newly awarded housing funding, LAWV is expanding its ability to serve individuals and families facing housing-related legal challenges in Wood County and the surrounding region.

Not only is our work personally rewarding, but Legal Aid offers a family-friendly work environment and an excellent benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, paid holidays, and continuing legal education opportunities. As a staff attorney with LAWV, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while working alongside experienced advocates committed to equal justice.

Position Summary

The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal representation, advice, brief services, outreach, and community education primarily in housing-related matters. The attorney will work with low-income individuals and families experiencing legal barriers that threaten housing stability and economic security.

The attorney's work may include:

• Eviction defense and related landlord-tenant matters.
• Housing subsidy and voucher issues.
• Habitability and unsafe housing conditions.
• Fair housing and housing discrimination matters.
• Preservation of public and subsidized housing benefits.
• Homelessness prevention and housing stabilization initiatives.
• Representation of survivors and vulnerable populations facing housing-related legal issues.
• Community outreach and education regarding housing rights and available legal resources.
• Collaboration with local housing agencies, community organizations, service providers, and government partners.

Consistent with LAWV's client-centered approach, the attorney may also assist eligible clients in other civil legal matters as funding, office needs, and organizational priorities require.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in West Virginia and be in good standing or must be eligible for admission to the West Virginia Bar under West Virginia Supreme Court Rule 9 if admitted to practice in another state or must be eligible to take the next regularly scheduled West Virginia Bar Exam.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income and vulnerable populations.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage a diverse caseload while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with clients from varied backgrounds and experiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in housing law, landlord-tenant matters, public benefits, consumer law, domestic violence advocacy, or poverty law.
• Litigation or administrative hearing experience.
• Experience working with community partners and multidisciplinary service providers.