Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney - LAVA ...

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a statewide, not-for-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through 8 branch offices. ILS is funded by the Legal Services Corporation, Indiana Civil Legal Aid Fund, United Ways, Area Agencies on Aging, and numerous other funding sources.

The LAVA (“Legal Assistance to Victimized Adults”) Project is a statewide project of Indiana Legal Services dedicated to providing civil legal representation to older adults (age 60+) and endangered adults (age 18+ with a disability that limits their ability to care for themselves or their property) who are victims of crime, including abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The LAVA Project is principally funded by a grant from the US Department of Justice and administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

LAVA provides civil services to eligible victims of crime on civil legal issues arising from their victimization. Common case types include financial exploitation, guardianship termination and accountings, fiduciary and power of attorney abuse, domestic violence and protection orders, consumer fraud and scams, public benefits, and victims' rights enforcement. In addition to direct legal services, the Senior Staff Attorney will conduct outreach, training, and community education presentations.
In addition to direct legal services, the LAVA Project provides law-related education and proactive programming designed to empower seniors, endangered adults, and the professionals and caregivers who work with them.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer:
ILS is committed to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other category protected by law

Location: This position will ideally be based in the South Bend, Fort Wayne, or Merrillville ILS offices. Candidates willing to work from the Indianapolis or Lafayette offices with regular travel to serve clients and partners in northern and central Indiana will also be considered.

Duration:
This is a permanent, full-time position.

Position Description:
This is a full-time Staff Attorney position within the LAVA Project. For candidates with sufficient experience, it will be a Senior Staff Attorney position. The Staff Attorney and Senior Staff Attorney provide high-quality, victim-centered, trauma-informed civil legal services to older adults and endangered adults who are victims of crime. Representation may include advice, negotiation, and litigation. In addition to maintaining an active caseload, the Senior Staff Attorney plays a leadership role within the LAVA Project team, including mentoring staff, supporting program development, and serving as a subject matter resource on elder justice issues.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide victim-centered, trauma-informed legal advice, representation, and advocacy to older adults and endangered adults who are victims of crime throughout Indiana, including issues related to financial exploitation, abuse, and neglect
• Develop and execute strategies aimed at addressing the needs of the elder and endangered adult communities throughout Indiana
• Provide community education through presentations, publications, and coalition participation, with particular attention to rural and underserved communities
• Develop educational materials and conduct training and outreach on elder abuse, financial exploitation, and related topics to legal and allied professionals
• Collaborate with other ILS offices and projects by sharing expertise, research, and pleadings, and by consulting, training, and co-counseling cases as appropriate
• Comply with all ILS policies and procedures for legal work management

Required Qualifications:

• Dedicated to the mission, vision, and values of Indiana Legal Services
• Licensed to practice law in Indiana
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Available transportation and ability to travel throughout the state as needed to perform job responsibilities, particularly to remote and rural counties
• Proven leadership skills with a strong work ethic
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and increasing access to justice for vulnerable populations
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting, including with social workers and allied professionals, to facilitate coordinated community responses and provide holistic services to clients

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years of legal practice experience
• Experience in elder law, victims' rights, guardianship, or related areas strongly preferred
• Experience representing clients with diminished capacity is strongly preferred
• Experience delivering trainings and presentations
• Excellent negotiation and litigation skills

Compensation:

• Staff Attorney: starting salary is $58,656, up to a maximum of $79,100, depending on experience.
• Senior Staff Attorney: starting salary is $64,600, up to a maximum of $96,900, depending on experience.
• ILS offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx), disability insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, a flex benefit plan, and generous vacation and sick leave.

To Apply:
Provide a letter explaining your interest and experience, your resume, and a list of three professional references to Maria Hartman, HR Director - Interim, at maria.hartman@ilsi.net.

Closing Date: When filled

Position Start Date: As soon as reasonably possible