Description:
The Staff Attorney will advocate to ensure that low-income and underserved residents in our community are provided excellent free legal advice and representation. Successful candidates will use their skills to identify and find solutions for clients who present with a variety of legal issues, including but not limited to, family law, domestic violence, housing, and consumer debt.This Staff Attorney will focus on 603LA's Hope for Heroes initiative, working alongside Veterans — experiencing housing instability—to address civil legal issues affecting housing, income, and overall well-being. This role combines direct legal advocacy with program coordination, compliance support, client screening and intake, and continuous improvement within the Hope for Heroes initiative.
The Staff Attorney provides legal advice, representation, and statewide outreach focused on Veterans Affairs (VA) service-connected disability benefits, and dismissal or discharge upgrades, It also expands access to services through community partnerships, education, on-site medical legal partnerships with the local VA medical campuses and mobile outreach that brings support directly to Veterans where they are.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Direct Representation and Advocacy
- Maintain an active caseload of advice, brief service, and extended representation matters across civil legal issues including housing, family law, Veteran's benefits, discharge/dismissal upgrades, income support, consumer law, employment, tax, and protective orders.
- Obtain and maintain VA accreditation and represent Veterans in service-connected benefits, and discharge upgrade matters.
- Conduct legal research, draft pleadings, and support clients navigating complex legal systems.
- Collaborate and co-counsel with other staff attorneys as needed.
- Connect clients with legal and social service partners for holistic support.
- Deliver services in person, virtually and in community-based settings, including regular on-site visits and mobile outreach.
- Manage and promote monthly medical-legal partnership (MLP) with VA medical campus and provide onsite services to clients at the VA medical campus once a month.
- Obtain and review medical and military records to submit VA service-connection claims.
- Maintain and review claims periodically through VBMS.
- Build and maintain relationships with Veteran-serving organizations, including Harbor Care, Easterseals, and similar partners.
- Collaborate with community-based advocates who help identify, screen, and refer Veterans for legal services.
- Coordinate trainings and legal education sessions for community partner staff members.
- Coordinate outreach, cross-referrals, and pro bono engagement with partners such as Veterans Legal Justice.
- Lead or participate in community education and outreach efforts.
- Develop clear, accessible legal education materials tailored to Veterans.
- Serve as a key coordinator for the Hope for Heroes program, supporting overall service delivery and ensuring alignment with grant requirements and organizational priorities.
- Coordinate day-to-day program activities and serve as a central point of contact for Hope for Heroes project work.
- Support compliance with federal and other grant requirements, including documentation, reporting, and performance tracking.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation to support reporting, evaluation, and accountability standards.
- Collaborate with leadership and staff to ensure consistent, high-quality, and compliant service delivery.
- Track case data and outcomes to assess impact, identify trends, and improve service delivery. Use findings and client experience data to refine strategies and ensure services remain responsive and effective.
- Track case data and outcomes, to complete required grant quarterly and year end programmatic reports.
- Support program goals focused on increasing access to legal services, reducing housing instability and improving outcomes for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- Participate in internal planning and systems improvements to strengthen and expand services statewide.
- Support grant reporting, compliance, and related fund development activities as needed.
- Uphold the highest ethical and professional responsibilities at all times.
- Stay current on legal developments and pursue ongoing professional development.
- Engage in required training related to program compliance, documentation standards, and service delivery expectations.
- Contribute to a collaborative, team-based legal practice, including sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues.
- Provide guidance or supervision to paralegal or support staff, as appropriate.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Admission to practice law in New Hampshire, or eligibility to obtain admission within one year of hire.
- At least 8 years of experience in litigation, client representation, and/or legal advising.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving individuals with low incomes, with an understanding of—or willingness to develop skills in—trauma-informed practice.
- Familiarity with legal and service issues affecting Veterans and with resources related to homelessness, housing instability, or poverty.
- Experience with grant-funded programs including documentation, reporting, and compliance requirements.
- Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Proficiency with technology used for case management, data tracking, and reporting.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, community partners, and clients.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and social justice.
- Preferred with New Hampshire courts or administrative systems.