Job Title:        Tenant Assistance Project, Managing Attorney
Reports To:    Volunteer Lawyers Project Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
Updated:        December 17, 2024 

OVERVIEW 

Established in 1982, the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is the oldest and largest volunteer legal services organization in Nebraska.  The mission of VLP is to provide quality pro bono legal services to eligible low-income Nebraskans. 

TAP is an eviction defense project provided at the Lancaster and Douglas County Courthouses four days per week when eviction hearings are scheduled.  VLP recruits volunteer attorneys, law students and community volunteers to provide on-site services and represent tenants in eviction hearings.  The Tenant Assistance Project Managing Attorney works under the direction of the VLP Director and provides oversight of the project. 

This position is full-time and grant funded.  The position requires significant interaction with lawyers, nonlawyers and members of the general public.  General work hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, with some evening, weekend, and extended work days.  This position may require travel to attend activities and events. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

Salary is commensurate with non-profit public interest work (range of $67,000 to $80,000), skills and experience considered. This position offers paid individual healthcare and dental insurance, health savings account, 401K retirement plan, life insurance, disability plan, paid NSBA membership, NSBA CLE credit opportunities, remote work policy, vacation and sick leave.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Managing Attorney will:

• Supervise TAP staff.
• Assist in recruiting volunteers.
• Provide direct, onsite operation and support of TAP at the Douglas & Lancaster County Courthouses as needed.
• Prepare weekly facilitation schedules for Lancaster and Douglas sites.
• Assist in creating, updating and reviewing training materials and volunteer resources, including Eviction Defense Packets.
• Collaborate with law school clinics and other partner organizations to ensure program objectives are met.
• Assist with coordinating and conducting trainings, CLE, and presentations to sustain an active volunteer network.
• Oversee tracking and maintaining data related to demographics and outcomes of cases.
• Oversee the process for conducting surveys and using other tools to perform quality assessment of pro bono programs.
• Assist with preparing reports to funders and partner organizations.
• Assist with fundraising for the project.
• Attend regular meetings and designated program and professional development events.
• Perform other duties assigned by the VLP Director or NSBA Executive Director. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctorate required. If admitted to practice, must be a member in good standing.
• Prefer three-years experience in poverty law areas, including family, landlord/tenant, debtor, guardianship, probate and general civil law

• Demonstrated commitment to public service and pro bono representation with previous experience working with low-income and underserved communities.
• Experience managing or supervising staff is highly desired.
• Experience managing or supervising volunteers is highly desired.

• Advanced experience in computer and technical applications, including Microsoft Office programs, e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with legal case management system.
• Knowledge of online meeting and training platforms and basic web applications.
• Able to efficiently work on multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to frequent changes, and effectively manage multiple deadlines.
• Available to work evenings, weekend and extended work hours as necessary to perform the function of VLP and the NSBA.
• Fluency in Spanish highly desired.

SKILLS NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE NSBA/VLP MISSION

The Managing Attorney will:

• Work independently and within a team.
• Demonstrate poise, tact and diplomacy in all communications, internally and externally.
• Have an energetic, assertive, can-do attitude to establish and maintain positive relationships, internally and externally; be able to make frequent, regular cold calls to attorneys statewide and interact at various events to recruit volunteers for VLP programs.
• Maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
• Have excellent professional communication skills, oral and written.
• Possess computer, data entry, and organization skills to create, maintain, and support existing and new VLP programs and activities.
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail, high standards for accuracy and quality
• Provide continual attention to accuracy and quality in composing, typing and proofing materials and reports; establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Follow internal procedures and professional and external rules related to VLP programs.

TO APPLY
Send cover letter and resume to Shannon Seim, sseim@nevlp.org. The position will remain open until filled.

NOTE

The statements in this job description reflect general details necessary to describe the principal functions of this position, the level of knowledge, the scope of responsibility, and the skills typically required for this position.  The statements should not be considered an all-inclusive list of the work requirements. This position may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other NSBA areas to cover absences or relief, or to further the responsibilities of the VLP or the NSBA.   Every effort will be made to update job descriptions as changes are made. 

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