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Employment Opportunities

Attorneys and Support Personnel:

The mission of the Oregon Law Center is to achieve justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services. OLC does not receive funding from the Legal Services Corporation. OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a healthy work environment for a diverse staff. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and communities to apply. OLC supports the decision of the Oregon Supreme Court to grant diploma privileges to 2020 law school graduates and will not discriminate in hiring against lawyers admitted to the Bar through diploma privileges. Thank you for your interest.

Positions Available

Staff Attorney - Eviction Defense Project

Position: Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a staff attorney to provide civil legal services to low- income clients, specifically residential eviction defense. The position is a 1-year position. It is based in Portland and is a remote office position, with the option to work from the office in downtown Portland some or all days of the week. The attorney will maintain an active housing caseload and regularly appear in Multnomah County eviction court. The attorney will work on a 25+ person team within legal aid dedicated to eviction defense.

About Us: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services. OLC does not receive funding from the federal Legal Services Corporation. OLC operates eleven regional offices, a state support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program. OLC works closely with Legal Aid Services of Oregon and other partners in Oregon’s coordinated civil legal services delivery system.

Responsibilities: This staff attorney position will handle a housing caseload of clients with active eviction cases. Responsibilities also include regular review of eviction docket filings to compile aggregate data and track trends.

Requirements:

Current Oregon State Bar membership.
Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
A high degree of initiative and ability to manage a caseload.
Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.
Demonstrated ability to take direction and guidance from low-income clients and their self-identified priorities and work for solutions within the legal process.
Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
Strong interpersonal communication skills, a sense of humor, and a positive attitude.
Willingness to work irregular hours, if needed, to meet the needs of clients.

Preferences:

Experience representing tenants in eviction court in Oregon.
Experience representing low-income clients.
Spanish language skills are a plus.

Salary/Benefits: Set salary scale ranges from $61,500 to $98,500 and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience as an attorney. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, and paid moving expenses, among others.

Application: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis beginning March 15, 2023. To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Becky Straus, Managing Attorney, Eviction Defense Project, Oregon Law Center, bstraus@oregonlawcenter.org.

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to: (1) serve our diverse client communities effectively, (2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own, (3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients face, and (4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice? Feel free to provide examples, and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a healthy work environment for a diverse staff. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and communities to apply.

Staff Attorney - Grants Pass Office

Position: The Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time bilingual (Spanish/English) staff attorney to provide civil legal services to low-income clients. This position is located in our Grants Pass office and serves clients throughout Josephine County. Nestled in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains along the beautiful Rogue River, Grants Pass is Oregon’s whitewater rafting capital. Famous for its temperate climate, Grants Pass also offers opportunities to explore ecologically unique wilderness areas, as well as small-town charm with a thriving arts scene, wineries, and a historic district.

OLC’s Grants Pass office consists of three attorneys (including the advertised position) and a legal assistant. We set priorities according to client need; current priorities are housing law, family law, and individual rights. We seek to make real improvements in clients’ lives and to help eliminate the underlying causes of poverty.

Responsibilities: The staff attorney will handle a combination of impact litigation and individual cases in state and federal court, as well as engage in community outreach to clients, client service organizations, government agencies and other community stakeholders. There are also opportunities to assist with legislative and policy advocacy.

Requirements:

Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
Demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
Experience with or interest in complex, impact litigation.
A high degree of initiative and ability to manage a caseload.
Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.
Demonstrated ability to take direction and guidance from low-income clients and their self-identified priorities and work for solutions within the legal process.
Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
Strong interpersonal communication skills, a sense of humor, and a positive attitude.

Preferences:

Admission to Oregon Bar, or reciprocal eligibility for admission.
Life experience with poverty, disability, or other minority affiliation.
Significant IT skills with cloud-based phone services, Office Suite, and Adobe.

Salary/Benefits: $61,500 to $98,250 depending on experience as an attorney. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid moving expenses and bar study leave, among others.

Application: Position open until filled. To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, a description of your Spanish proficiency, and list of three references to Heather Kemper, Deputy Director, hekemper@oregonlawcenter.org.

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a healthy work environment for a diverse staff. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and communities to apply.

Full-Time Paralegal (nine-month term) - Hillsboro

POSITION: The Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a bilingual (Spanish/English) Paralegal, for a nine-month term (with the possibility of extension if funding allows), to support the provision of civil legal services to low-income clients. This position is based in Hillsboro, a city of 106,000 located about 45 minutes west of Portland, and serves clients throughout the northwest region of Oregon, including coastal, urban, and agricultural communities. From historic Astoria, Oregon’s “Hollywood North,” to the spectacular beaches of the north coast, wineries of the western Willamette Valley, international cuisine and minor-league baseball, this region of Oregon has a lot to offer.

ABOUT US: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services. OLC does not receive funding from the federal Legal Services Corporation. OLC operates eleven regional offices, a state support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program. OLC works closely with Legal Aid Services of Oregon and other partners in Oregon’s coordinated civil legal services delivery system.

OLC’s Hillsboro Regional Office consists of twelve attorneys, and 8 paralegals (including the advertised position). Office priorities are based on client need. Current priorities include housing, family, public benefits, employment, seniors, and immigrant rights. We seek to make real improvements in clients’ lives and to help eliminate the underlying causes of poverty. The office has two satellite locations in St. Helens and McMinnville. The office serves clients living in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Paralegal’s duties will include daily handling of multi-line phones, walk- ins, mail, and faxes; performing eligibility intake interviews; and entering data into the client database. The Paralegal will also provide assistance to clients with their connections to non- legal resources.

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a healthy work environment for a diverse staff. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and communities to apply.

REQUIREMENTS:

Spanish language skills.
A high degree of initiative and willingness to work collaboratively.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and a positive attitude.
Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.
Significant IT skills with cloud-based phone services, Office Suite, and Adobe.

PREFERENCES:

Experience working with low-income communities.
Personal experience with poverty, disability, or any other minority status or affiliation.

SALARY/BENEFITS: The salary scale ranges from $40,000 to $64,000 and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave and paid moving expenses, among others.

APPLICATION: Position open until filled. To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, a description of your Spanish proficiency, and list of three references to Michael Pijanowski, Managing Attorney, mpijanowski@oregonlawcenter.org or 230 NE 2^nd Ave, Suite F, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

Paralegal - Ontario Office

POSITION: Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time Paralegal to support the provision of civil legal services to low-income clients. The position does not require formal paralegal certification or training. The position is based in our Ontario office and serves clients throughout Baker, Grant, Harney, and Malheur counties. Ontario is a rural community, located on the Snake River in the Treasure Valley at the border with Idaho. It is approximately one hour west of Boise and an easy drive to beautiful deserts, mountains, and rivers.

OLC’s Ontario Office is comprised of three staff attorneys, a regional office administrator and one paralegal. We assist clients in meeting challenges to their basic needs including freedom from violence, housing, income maintenance, and protection/enforcement of civil rights. Our office sets priorities according to client need. We seek to make a real difference in clients’ lives and to help eliminate the underlying causes of poverty.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

General office support: receptionist duties, including answering phones, receiving mail, monitoring, and ordering supplies, and managing office calendar
Staff the front desk and greet visitors in a professional and positive manner
Organize, manage, and maintain office systems and the physical office
Conduct client intake interviews and maintain detailed and accurate case notes
Assist attorneys with litigation and other forms of advocacy, including but not limited to: investigation, witness interviews, factual and legal research, document review and other aspects of trial preparation
Conduct outreach and community presentations and produce educational materials
Provide general information and referrals
Help with other office projects as needed
Occasional travel throughout Baker, Grant, Harney, and Malheur counties

OLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a healthy work environment for a diverse staff. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and communities to apply.

REQUIREMENTS:

Demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
Strong interpersonal communication skills, sense of humor, flexible and curious attitude.
Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe, Zoom, and cloud-based phone services.

SALARY/BENEFITS: The salary scale ranges from $40,000 to $64,000 and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, and paid moving expenses, among others.

HOW TO APPLY: Review of resumes to begin February 22, 2023. Position open until filled. To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Maria Romero, Office Administrator, mromero@oregonlawcenter.org.

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to: (1) serve our diverse client communities effectively, (2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own, (3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients and some colleagues face, and (4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice? Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.

Immigration Staff Attorneys—Gresham and Hillsboro

POSITION: The Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks two staff attorneys to provide immigration legal services to low-income clients. These positions are grant-funded for 12 months with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability. One position will be based in our Hillsboro Regional Office and the other will be based in our Gresham Farmworker Office.

Hillsboro is a city of 106,000 located about 45 minutes west of Portland. The immigration staff attorney in this office will serve clients throughout the northwest region of Oregon, including coastal, urban, and agricultural communities. Gresham is a city of 114,000 located about 30 minutes east of Portland, and is the gateway to Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. The immigration staff attorney in this office will serve clients in northeastern and central Oregon.

ABOUT US: OLC is a legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services. OLC does not receive funding from the federal Legal Services Corporation. OLC operates eleven regional offices, a state support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The immigration staff attorneys will handle an independent caseload of both affirmative immigration cases and removal defense. The attorneys will perform client screening and intake, determining eligibility for relief and providing advice; will provide direct representation to clients in court and USCIS; and will develop and litigate cases. They will also participate in outreach and community education.

REQUIREMENTS:

- JD degree and admission to any state bar in the U.S.
- Demonstrated commitment to justice for low-income communities.
- Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills
- A high degree of initiative and ability to manage work independently.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, positive attitude, and sense of humor.
- Ability to manage an active caseload of individual clients.

PREFERENCES:

Demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
Zero to seven years of experience.
Personal experience with poverty, disability, or any other minority status or affiliation.
Significant IT skills with cloud-based phone services, Office Suite, and Adobe.

SALARY/BENEFITS: $61,500 to $98,500 and placement on the scale is determined by years of relevant experience as an attorney. Additional compensation for bilingual ability. Competitive benefits package includes individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage, employer retirement contribution, generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid moving expenses and bar study leave, among others.

APPLICATION: Resumes will be reviewed beginning March 13, 2022. Positions are open until filled. To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and list of three references to Heather Kemper, Deputy Director, hekemper@oregonlawcenter.org. If you have a location preference between Gresham and Hillsboro, please indicate that in your cover letter.

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, and people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. We strive to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued because we believe such an environment is essential to our work serving clients. How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to: (1) serve our diverse client communities effectively, (2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own, (3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients face, and (4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice? Feel free to provide examples, and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences, as you respond to this question.

OLC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a healthy work environment for a diverse staff. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and communities to apply.

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