NAELA's CareerCenter

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Iowa Legal Aid is recruiting Managing Attorneys for its Waterloo Regional Office in Waterloo, Iowa and its Southeast Regional Office in Ottumwa, Iowa.  Our regional offices provide critical legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable Iowans.  The Waterloo Regional Office serves clients in eight counties in eastern Iowa.  The Southeast Regional Office serves clients in 13 counties in southeastern Iowa. 

Background: Founded in 1977, Iowa Legal Aid serves clients in all 99 Iowa counties through offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo.

Through free legal assistance and community legal education, Iowa Legal Aid brings hope, dignity, and justice to low-income and other vulnerable Iowans who have nowhere else to turn.  Legal assistance at Iowa Legal Aid ranges from advice and brief service to full representation before administrative agencies and state and federal trial and appellate courts.  In our diverse practice, we prioritize work involving housing, domestic violence, income maintenance, health care, individual rights, and consumer issues to help secure our clients’ most essential needs. Iowa Legal Aid attorneys appear in court frequently and serve clients out in the community through expungement and pro se divorce clinics, our Eviction Diversion Project Help Desks, and targeted outreach events.

Iowa Legal Aid plays a crucial role in changing systems and achieving justice through impact advocacy. To see examples of our recent impact work that we are particularly proud of, please see our 24 month impact advocacy highlights.  Learn more about Iowa Legal Aid at www.iowalegalaid.org and www.iowalegalaidfoundation.org.

Responsibilities:  The Managing Attorney is responsible for a wide range of legal and administrative tasks.  Staff development is a priority, including recruitment, training, and supervision. (The office staff typically includes staff attorneys, paralegals, support staff, an AmeriCorps member, volunteers and/or interns.)  The Managing Attorney also is the organization’s local representative for community engagement, which involves planning and participating in community legal education and clinics, recruiting volunteers, and exploring partnership and fundraising opportunities.  In addition, the Managing Attorney supports Iowa Legal Aid’s statewide programs as needed (including our intake unit and special projects) and participates in grant support and compliance duties. 

Qualifications:  Preference will be given to applicants with at least three years of legal experience, supervisory experience, a demonstrated commitment to working with low-income people, and experience handling claims in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collegial environment are required.  Individuals with Spanish or other language skills are encouraged to apply.  Must be licensed to practice law in the state of Iowa or be available to take the next scheduled bar examination.

To apply, submit letter of application, resume, recent representative legal writing sample, and at least three professional references.