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

Technical assistance - 10%

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

Program Support and Compliance – 5%

Participate in external meetings and serve on committees as a DRW representative
Comply with program requirements such as reporting and filing deadlines
Respond to inquiries from media and other stakeholders as directed

General – 5%

Adhere to all DRW policies and procedures, including but not limited to work hours, timesheets, file maintenance, confidentiality, and security.
Participate in DRW activities, including all staff meetings and committees.
Participate in community outreach
May be other related duties as assigned.
Attorney- Litigation:
The Attorney-Litigation designation is differentiated by the majority of time spent on client representation.

Qualifications:
Required:

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.
Computer skills, including email, word processing, and use of the internet, and using Microsoft Edge, Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook.
Demonstrated ability to investigate specific issues, identify relevant facts, conduct research, negotiate, mediate, and litigate cases.
Experience or direct contact with people of culturally diverse backgrounds.

Preferred:

Experience/direct contact 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.
Personal or professional advocacy experience, which could include teaching or training, outreach, or technical assistance
Ability to write and/or speak Spanish, Hmong, or ASL as well as English is desired.

Competencies:

Strong ability to analyze and resolve complex legal inquiries and issues.
Proficient in trial advocacy.
Demonstrated skill in collaborating with others to develop pragmatic and innovative solutions.
Effective at building rapport and strong relationships with internal and external partners and clients at all levels, with a clear understanding of their needs and appropriate, timely responses.
Committed to advancing belonging through continuous learning, modeling inclusive behaviors, and actively addressing bias.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing: 27 to 40 or more hours
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another: 8 hours or less
Repetitive motions that may include the wrists, hands, and fingers: 27 to 40 or more hours
Ability to Travel throughout Wisconsin
Communicating internally and externally, both verbally and in writing.
Must be able to exchange accurate information: 27 to 40 or more hours
Light work that includes moving objects, boxes up to 10 pounds: 1 hour or less

Travel:
This position requires up to 10% travel throughout the State of 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.

Day travel will be monthly, less than 1 to 2 days a month.

Overnight travel will be monthly, less than 1 to 2 days a month.