Consumer & Housing Staff Attorney

Northern Nevada Legal Aid (NNLA) seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to assist in its diverse Consumer & Housing Department. This position will provide counsel, advice, and direct legal representation to low-income individuals who are facing foreclosure or eviction and ensure consumers’ rights are protected. Other types of Consumer & Housing cases and issues include evictions, uninhabitable and unsanitary living conditions, wrongful lockouts, housing discrimination, termination of utilities or other basic services, consumer fraud deceptive trade practices, fair debt collection practices, and other related matters affecting individuals in the Northern Nevada region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintaining direct representation and an active case load in the areas of consumer and housing, as well as providing counsel and advice on such matters and referrals to suitable resources. This includes doing your own drafting of legal documents and your own calendaring.
• Establishing a relationship with clients and maintaining regular contact for the duration of their legal actions, with specific attention to trauma-informed representation.
• Attending hearings, trials, settlement conferences, and other court functions fully prepared and actively advocating for clients.
• Attends outreach events for NNLA and other regional events.
• Provides legal services to NNLA clients in other program areas when needed and other tasks that may be assigned to you.
• Collecting, updating, and reviewing client and grant-reporting data on a monthly basis.
• Other administrative tasks as assigned/necessary.

Qualifications:

• Qualified candidates must be a member of the Nevada Bar, or possess an active and good standing Bar License from any United States jurisdiction to comply with Supreme Court Rule 49.1.
• Bilingual in the English/Spanish language (recommended but not requirement).
• Experience with consumer and housing issues including NRS 118A and post-COVID eviction protections on a state and federal level (recommended but not required).
• Exposure to Section 8 and Low-Income House Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs (recommended but not required).
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and strong communication skills, both written and verbal. An empathetic yet effective communicator with a positive attitude, able to explain complex legal matters to clients in a manner that ensures their comprehension.
• Ability to understand the lives and struggles of the clients and patients. Be comfortable working with individuals of different backgrounds, including those from different cultures, socio-economic statuses, seniors, and vulnerable populations.
• Desire to problem-solve, make decisions efficiently, and refer clients to resources as appropriate.
• Have strong organizational skills, technical/database skills, and attention to detail.
• Be able to take initiative and work independently, as well as part of a great team of caring individuals providing an invaluable service.

Salary/Benefits:

Position is a full-time, exempt position, with a salary to be determined based upon experience and qualifications; range from $66,500 to $70,000.

NNLA promotes a positive work-life balance by offering a 35-hour work week, 13 paid holidays per year, and a generous PTO program that starts accruing immediately to earn over 5 weeks of PTO a year (increase in PTO accrual after 2 years).

NNLA offers a competitive benefits package which pays 100% of the employee Medical, Dental, Vision and Life plans along with paying 75% of dependents benefit premium. In addition, NNLA has a 401(k) matching program, an Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Account, and supplemental benefits.

Application Deadline and Starting Date:

Position is available immediately and will remain posted until filled.

How to Apply:

To apply, please email a cover letter, and resume to kkirschenheiter@nnlegalaid.org

Location:

Work is expected to be performed on-site at NNLA’s Main location at 299 S. Arlington Ave., and occasional work possible at the Reno Justice Court located at 1 S. Sierra St., NNLA Senior Legal Center located at 1155 E 9th St., and Northern Nevada HOPES located at 580 W. 5^th St. While the majority of work is expected to be performed on-site a hybrid/telework schedule may be considered dependent on organizational needs.

About Northern Nevada Legal Aid:

Formerly known as Washoe Legal Services, Northern Nevada Legal Aid (NNLA) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Washoe County, Nevada which was established in 1965 and has been in continuous operation since. NNLA provides Northern Nevada’s vulnerable populations access to justice, regardless of their ability to pay, to protect their rights, safety, and family stability.

NNLA plays a critical role in increasing the safety and stability of domestic violence victims and their children; protecting the rights of abused and neglected children, the indigent, and the elderly; and increasing the safety and stability of immigrants who are elderly or victims of crime and domestic or sexual violence. NNLA’s purpose is to achieve justice for those whose voices might otherwise not be heard, to empower individuals to advocate for themselves, and to make positive changes in the communities we serve.

In 2022, Northern Nevada Legal Aid assisted in over 10,500 legal matters. Specifically, NNLA represented children in the custody of the Washoe County Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services (rural counties) in 1,217 legal matters, including 1,153 in their underlying 432B (abuse and neglect) matters, 36 in adoptions, and 24 in continuing jurisdiction after having reached 18 years of age; NNLA represented 1,258 protected persons in adult guardianship cases and 152 in minor guardianship; NNLA assisted 931 clients under 60 years of age with housing and/or consumer related issues; NNLA provided legal services to 1,343 individuals over 60 years of age through its Senior Legal Center; NNLA assisted victims of domestic violence in 50 extended protective order cases and 86 divorce and/or custody cases; NNLA assisted 368 individuals (including, primarily, victims of crime) in immigration matters; and NNLA provided self-help services to 1,980 individuals.

Diversity Statement:

Northern Nevada Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to the empowerment of vulnerable individuals and communities, through the expansion of access to legal justice in Northern Nevada. We do not discriminate in regards to gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other protected class as provided for by law or statute. Individuals of diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.