Description: Lavender Legal Center seeks a Staff Attorney in Iowa. The Staff Attorney will provide  direct representation in the areas including but not limited to family formation, estate planning, discrimination, and trans* law. The Staff Attorney will conduct legal clinics and outreach across Iowa, with a focus on underserved communities, for LGBTQ+ Iowans. The attorney will provide other services as needed in order to both help expand access to legal services for LGBTQ Iowans and expand the types of legal services offered by Lavender. When not traveling for outreach, client meetings and Court proceedings, most work can be done remotely. Staff attorneys can reside anywhere in Iowa.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Meet regularly with current and potential clients

• Conduct free legal clinics across Iowa

• Assist with the direct representation, advocacy, and referrals of clients and service inquirers

• Conduct legal research and draft legal documents

• Represent clients at hearings and meetings
• Engage in litigation
• Provide regular and timely updates and reports to the Legal
• Director and/or Executive Director

• Assist in the development of LGBTQ legal education and advocacy materials

• Conduct outreach for both potential clients and donors, especially during Pride month, but as needed

• Acquire knowledge of community services and connect clients to needed resources

• Meet with individual donors to discuss the Legal Program as necessary and in conjunction with the Executive Director
• Assist in implementation of annual fundraiser and other large fundraising events

• Engage in additional responsibilities and projects as needed to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community and fulfill Lavender’s mission

Lavender attorneys provide a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ community. They aim to promote the dignity, equality, and safety of LGBTQ people, and seek to minimize barriers to legal representation and related advocacy. Lavender attorneys regularly communicate with LGBTQ Iowans, including LGBTQ youth, sometimes about difficult topics and at vulnerable times in their lives. An applicant should have excellent written and oral communication skills. Lavender attorneys must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work alongside diverse groups of people. They are required to maintain confidential and sensitive information and should have exceptional organizational and time management skills. They should possess high attention to detail, and they must have computer and general software literacy. Lavender attorneys have a commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts. Applicants should have the ability to travel within the state of Iowa. And, applicants must demonstrate a firm commitment to Lavender’s mission and principles.

Applicants must be law school graduates licensed to practice law in Iowa. A public interest background and/or prior experience working or otherwise identifying with the LGBTQ community is preferred. We value a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

About Lavender Legal Center

Lavender Legal Center provides direct representation, advocacy, and referrals, with a priority for serving those with low income and our LGTBQ youth.

Connections working at Lavender Legal Center