ATTORNEY

Full-time

No

Connecticut Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer and contractor. We proudly value diversity and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

ATTORNEY POSITION AVAILABLE - Children’s Advocacy

Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) is seeking a highly qualified attorney to join our team. The initial assignment for this position will be covering our Children at Risk unit, located in the CLS Bridgeport office. This is a unique opportunity to use your legal training to improve the lives of low-income people and further CLS’ holistic and client-centered work.

CLS is dedicated to providing equal justice and improved life opportunities for low-income individuals and communities. Our team of lawyers represents families and individuals in administrative hearings and in state and federal courts, as well as advocating for changes in laws and systems to benefit low-income communities. We encourage lawyers addressing complex or systemic client issues to work in teams, which may include other legal services lawyers and/or other local community agencies.

As an attorney at CLS, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients. Responsibilities will include legal representation and advice to individuals and families. The attorney in this position will receive extensive training and support in the area of law assigned and will be expected to:

• Maintain an active education law caseload of representation and advice cases, with primary responsibility covering the Bridgeport and Stamford region. This will include remote and in person school meetings, administrative complaints, and expulsion and due process hearings, as appropriate.
• Maintain a limited caseload of child protection cases, including remote and in person court appearances and home visits.
• Advocate for local systems change through new and existing partnerships.
• Conduct community outreach and training, and coordinate with other social service agencies working with our clients.
• Help identify larger trends and issues for our clients, and work to develop strategies to respond to those trends and issues.

Start Date: As soon as possible

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:
• Connecticut bar admission or passed the Connecticut bar exam and willingness to be sworn in as soon as possible.
• Must be able to travel for client/work related events when necessary.
• Deep and demonstrated commitment to CLS’ mission, vision, goals, and values, and to advocate for and empower low-income and historically oppressed individuals and communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to write persuasively and clearly, and the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated ability both to collaborate closely with colleagues and to work independently when necessary.
• Self-motivation, creativity and flexibility in solving problems and meeting challenges.

Preferred, but not required:
• Education law and/or child protection law experience.
• Connecticut administrative hearing and/or court experience.
• Spanish language fluency.

COMPENSATION: Salary $61,362-$120,584, depending on experience; includes excellent vacation/leave, health, student loan assistance, hybrid work opportunity, and other benefits.

APPLICATION: Applicants should send a Cover Letter clearly describing their qualifications, Resume, 3-7 page original writing sample, and the names and contact information for three professional references to . CLS invites all applicants to include in their Cover Letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the position is filled. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) and “Attorney Application” as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION: CLS is Connecticut’s largest non-profit law firm, providing free legal help to low-income people in areas of law including housing, consumer, elder, family, public benefits, education, child protection, immigration, employment, and disability. Offering a collegial workplace with a staff of 75 in seven offices across Connecticut, CLS fights for equal justice and improved life opportunities for more than 12,000 people every year.

Not specified

Excellent vacation/leave, health, student loan assistance, hybrid work opportunity, and other benefits.

Spanish preferred

Legal training, interpersonal communication, writing, collaboration, self-motivation, creativity, problem-solving, Spanish language fluency

Not specified

Send a cover letter, resume, original writing sample, and three professional references to . In your cover letter, include a statement about how your unique background and experiences contribute to diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective at CLS.

Qualification and Experience Connecticut bar admission or willingness to be sworn in, willingness to travel, commitment to CLS' mission and values, ability to work with diverse individuals and groups, experience in education or child protection law preferred

Legal