[INTERNAL ONLY] Assistant Supervising Attorney - Pueblo

Organization Overview:
 

Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, with thirteen offices providing civil legal assistance to low-income Coloradans throughout the state. CLS provides free legal assistance in a broad variety of legal areas, including family law, public benefits, eviction defense, consumer protection, services to survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, and many others.

CLS has strengthened lives, assisted families, and supported communities–one person at a time for over 100 years. We are committed to providing high-quality, free legal advice and representation to eligible individuals throughout Colorado. We have a long history of successful impact and advocacy. CLS strives to bring about substantive, transformational change in the lives of those we serve.

We value representation. 

At CLS, we value and respect our staff's wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We ensure representation of our client communities in our staff, Board of Directors and leadership teams. We also envision a fair, just, trusted, and harm reductionist legal system which emphasizes access to and implementation of true justice for every Coloradan. 

Position Summary

The Assistant Managing Attorney of the Pueblo Office of Colorado Legal Services will work in concert with and report to the Managing Attorney of the Pueblo Office to lead and guide a team of staff (attorneys, Pro Bono Coordinator, paralegals, intake specialists and social workers) to address the legal needs of low-income individuals to ensure housing stability, protect victims of domestic abuse, protect the elderly, provide advice about adult protection matters, ensure income stability for individuals and families, ensure consumer protection (fraud and collections) and provide representation in domestic relations matters in those areas served by the Pueblo office. The Assistant Managing Attorney is the frontline supervisor of those staff members working to prevent eviction and homelessness. The Assistant Managing Attorney will participate in the provision of Title III Senior Legal Services in Regions 7 and 14, as needed. The Assistant Managing Attorney will participate in the provision of services to Domestic Violence victims, as needed. 

 Essential Duties:   

• Work under the direct supervision of the Pueblo Managing Attorney.  
  


• Carry a medium-sized caseload and co-counsel cases with staff and grant attorneys as needed.    


• Provide direction, training and feedback to staff members.
  


• Regularly staff open cases with staff and attorneys.
  


• Work with the Eviction Diversion program staff to ensure quality performance.
  


• Review housing and eviction diversion closed cases.
  


• Ensure the timely closing of cases for staff and attorneys.  Ensure staff compliance with accepted work standards and issues regarding the allocation of workloads. 
  


• Help to conduct an evaluation of staff attorneys and paralegals.
  


• Alert Managing Attorney to potential problems
  or issues with clients, the work product of staff and attorneys, and quality of work.  
  


• Assist Managing Attorney in
  training attorneys and staff in statutory, common law, and equity principles. Develop training materials as needed, including ethics training pursuant to the obligations impose upon attorneys and those they supervise under the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.  
  


• Promote an office culture that emphasizes harmony, cohesiveness, work quality, continuous improvement, and excellent customer service.   


• Periodically review types of cases assigned to staff attorneys in order to manage their workloads. Assess outcomes for those served by the Pueblo office to determine whether the goals of the Pueblo office are being met.  


• Work with managers/supervisors and senior attorneys on impact cases and help promote a more effective organization.     


•  Assist the Managing Attorney in participating in housing, domestic abuse, and elder protection task forces. As needed, review and revise fact sheets and advice letters to ensure they are current. Share this responsibility with dedicated grant and staff attorneys.  


• Along with the Managing Attorney share the responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office, including but not limited to, responding to questions from screeners, interviewers and AODs, assessing possible conflicts, providing legal information and referrals, etc.   


• Cover for Managing Attorney when not available or on leave.  The Managing Attorney will cover for Assistant Managing Attorney when unavailable or on leave.
  


• Become familiar with grant requirements and fulfillment.
  


• Attend Managing Attorney meetings and trainings.
  


• Engage in other duties as needed or assigned.  

Preferred Qualifications:   

This position requires the following:

• attorney who has a minimum of four years’ experience practicing law, including at least two years in civil poverty law; 


• possesses leadership skills;


• can work well with others;


• demonstrate a commitment and sensitivity to those with whom CLS works and serves. 


• be sensitive to the unique challenges faced by the elderly, developmentally disabled and those with physical and mental challenges;


• be especially cognizant of the impact of trauma upon clients and the application and use of trauma informed care.
  

Compensation and Benefits:
 

We offer a generous plan that includes 100% employer paid premiums for employee health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, as well as partial employer paid premiums for spouses/dependents, based on a sliding scale. We also offer Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). CLS contributes $200/month to each employee's 403(b) retirement account and matches 100% of employee contributions up to 3% of employee salary; vesting occurs gradually will full vesting after 3 years of employment. Additionally, CLS offers generous paid time-off and 13 paid holidays per year.  

CLS values its employees’ commitment to working hard for the population it serves and recognizes the importance of work/life balance. We promote and foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically safe work environment, striving to be a “Best Place to Work” in Colorado.  

How to Apply:  

Please use the “Apply for This Job” link for this job opening on our
careers page. We will not be reviewing applications sent via e-mail or physical mail. If you have questions about this position or any other positions at Colorado Legal Services, contact Karen Vilner, Director of People and Culture, at [email protected].