[INTERNAL ONLY] Colorado Access MLP Attorney (1-year grant funded)

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:
 

CLS seeks an experienced attorney with extensive experience in representing low-income litigants in housing and consumer cases to serve as the staff attorney for the Colorado Access Medical-Legal Partnership (“MLP”). This is a one-year, grant-funded position through May 31, 2027.  We are committed to seeking additional funding from Colorado Access to continue funding for the position beyond one year, however employment cannot be guaranteed after May 31, 2027. However, we will notify the attorney no later than the end of January 2027 if we are able to continue the position. The Northern Colorado Advocacy Director will oversee implementation of the Colorado Access MLP and supervise this position.  

Colorado Access MLP (40-100%)  

This position will be the sole and primary attorney for the Colorado Access MLP. Colorado Access MLP cases will take priority. However, it is anticipated that the Colorado Access MLP caseload will be low at first and increase over time. Accordingly, internal candidates will make a gradual transition and continue taking cases from and doing work for their current team while their Colorado Access caseload builds. Eventually, it is anticipated that the attorney's full caseload will be Colorado Access cases. 

Through the Colorado Access MLP, this position will provide advice, brief services, and full-service representation to Colorado Access members living in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, and Douglas Counties. This position will represent Colorado Access members with a focus on preserving housing, and will also include consumer, and public benefits issues, including but not limited to eviction defense, housing conditions issues, debt collection defense, housing-related debt, foreclosure, and bankruptcy, and challenging unlawful denials, overpayments, and terminations of public benefits.  Hybrid work arrangements will be available. 

This position will also be responsible for providing training to Colorado Access staff through the Colorado Access Enhanced Partner Pilot. The training will allow Colorado Access staff to quickly identify possible legal needs that CLS can assist with and make seamless referrals to CLS so that eligible patients with housing, consumer, and public benefits needs can receive legal assistance. This position will work closely with Colorado Access, the Northern Colorado Advocacy Director, and the Colorado Access/Greeley Paralegal to continue implementing the grant, developing training materials, refining the referral process, and regularly communicating with Colorado Access staff throughout the period of the grant.  

Grant Attorney – Consumer or Housing or Benefits (60% to 100%)  

While it is expected that Colorado Access cases will take precedence, it is expected that those will ramp up over time and this position will gradually transition from doing primarily casework from their prior unit towards working primarily on Colorado Access cases.    

Essential Duties:  

Colorado Access MLP Staff Attorney Duties (40-100% of overall role)  

• Represent clients referred by Colorado Access in housing, consumer, and public benefits cases by providing advice, brief services, and full representation.  Assist with intake and assessment of referrals and applicants as needed. 

• Staff cases with the Northern Colorado Advocacy Director. 

• Develop, implement, and iterate training for Colorado Access staff.  

• Work closely with the Northern Colorado Advocacy Director to develop training materials for Colorado Access staff on how to identify legal issues that CLS can help with.  

• Provide trainings for Colorado Access staff on how to identify legal issues that CLS can help with and make referrals for those cases.  

• Work with the Northern Colorado Advocacy Director and the Colorado Access/Greeley Paralegal to develop and refine a referral system for Colorado Access and assist with intake and applications as necessary.  

• Communicate and meet frequently with Colorado Access staff to identify gaps, troubleshoot any issues that arise, and implement solutions to those issues to improve the issue spotting and referral process.  

• Take on other staff attorney cases and duties as assigned by the Northern Colorado Advocacy Director.  

• This position will take CSI Attorney of the Day shifts. 

• Provide high-quality legal advice, brief services, and full representation to Colorado Access members, in accordance with ethical rules of professional conduct and the standards set forth by Casehandler Standards.  

• Display patience, professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment for clients, including those with diverse backgrounds, disabilities, and mental health challenges, while providing clear, transparent communication and managing their expectations effectively.  

• Independently manage an active caseload.
  

• Maintain thorough and up-to-date records.
  

• Work as a member of a legal team, actively participating in regular case staffing as well as office and organization-wide projects focused on education and outreach to client populations.  

• Consult and co-counsel with other CLS attorneys, paralegals, and support staff.  

• Achieve and maintain knowledge of consumer, housing, and public benefits law.  

• Regularly engage in professional development and training opportunities.  

• Work collaboratively with partner organizations.  

• Promote a culture that emphasizes trust, mutual respect, equity, inclusion, harmony, work quality, continuous improvement, and excellent customer service.  

• Perform additional duties as assigned.  

Grant Attorney Duties (60% to 100% of overall role)  

•  Handle staff attorney cases as assigned.     

• Assist with strategic litigation and other tasks as assigned. 

• Communicate proactively with prior supervisor about capacity to continue work from prior unit as Colorado Access MLP work gradually ramps up. 

Qualifications:  

• Deliver exceptional legal counsel and advocacy that aligns with program objectives and meets the standards set forth by CLS Casehandler guidelines. 

• Engage and collaborate with CLS staff. 

• Display patience, empathy, and sound judgment for clients, including those with diverse backgrounds, disabilities, and mental health challenges, while providing clear, transparent communication and managing their expectations effectively. 

• Interview clients and witnesses, investigate facts to build client defenses and case strategy, engage in motions practice and negotiations, and provide representation to tenants at court and administrative hearings. 

• Maintain comprehensive and current documentation of client case notes in case management system. 

• Work collaboratively with partner organizations.
  

• Must have a valid license to practice law in Colorado at the time of hire, or the ability to obtain a Colorado license within a few months. 
  
  

Required Qualifications: 

• Valid license to practice law in the state of Colorado  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills  

• Attention to detail with strong critical thinking, analytical, and time management skills  

• A strong commitment to advocacy in the public interest and a passion for social justice 

• Sensitivity to the legal needs of low-income individuals, seniors, and other vulnerable populations   

• Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines  

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish 

To Apply - Note: Only Internal Applicants' Materials will be reviewed.  

Please use the "Apply for This Job" link on our careers page no later than Friday, April 24, 2026, however we will begin reviewing applicationsWe will not be reviewing applications sent via e-mail or physical mail. If you have questions about this position, please contact Karin Troendle or Joel Minor. Applications should include a resume and cover letter detailing your specific interest and experience as it relates to the position.