Description:
About This Position:Disability Rights Wisconsin is hiring two Staff Attorneys for its Litigation Team. The Attorneys will provide legal information, advice, and representation to individuals and groups seeking assistance on disability-related legal issues. The attorneys work collaboratively, through negotiation and mediation, to resolve problems and to provide assistance and/or direct representation in lawsuits, grievances, appeals, and fair hearings. The Attorneys will also provide guidance to internal and external partners through technical assistance and training.
Key Responsibilities:
Direct Legal Services: (80%)
- Represent clients in litigation and pre-litigation settings.
- Perform legal research and writing.
- Conduct discovery, motion practice, pre-trial, trial, post-trial, and appellate litigation.
- Participate in negotiations, mediations, and settlements.
- Accurately maintain case files and documentation.
- Provide subject matter expertise, case analysis, and legal interpretation for external partners and internal staff.
- Create training materials for advocates, external partners, parents, and people with disabilities in areas of subject matter expertise.
- Participate in external meetings and serve on committees as a DRW representative.
- Comply with program requirements, including reporting and filing deadlines.
- Respond to inquiries from the media and other stakeholders as directed.
- Adhere to all DRW policies and procedures, including but not limited to work hours, timesheets, file maintenance, confidentiality, and security.
- Participate in DRW activities such as all staff meetings and committees.
- Participate in community outreach
- May be other related duties as assigned.
Note on Attorney - Litigation: The Staff Attorney - Litigation designation is differentiated by the majority of time spent on client representation.
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate and licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, or the ability to become licensed within three to six months of hiring.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to investigate specific issues, identify relevant facts, and conduct legal research.
- Experience meeting the legal needs of people of culturally diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with persons with disabilities or social justice movements, either in a paid or unpaid capacity.
- Knowledge and skill in at least one area of law directly relevant to individuals with disabilities, including special education, housing discrimination, employment discrimination, government benefits, prevention of abuse and neglect in institutional and community settings, and community-based mental health programs.
- Experience conducting discovery, motion practice, preparing cases for contested hearings, and litigating through trial, post-trial, and appeal
- Experience working with advocates and providing legal and case management support.
- Prior advocacy experience, which could include teaching or training, outreach, or technical assistance, experience in special education is desired.
- Ability to write and/or speak Spanish, Hmong, or American Sign Language (ASL) as well as English is desired.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
- Ability to perform sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing.
- Ability to operate office equipment.
- Independent travel is required (10%).
Travel:
This position requires up to 10% travel throughout Wisconsin. Travel is anticipated to average 1 to 2 days per month, which may include an overnight stay. The travel schedule is expected to vary throughout the calendar year. While travel dates are typically scheduled far in advance, the position could require travel on short notice.
