HELP: MLP is currently hiring a part-time Staff Attorney to work with our partners in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal services related to public benefits, housing, and other legal issues that impact families participating in the Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership and Mabel Morris Family Home Visit Program. This is a part-time position with no health insurance benefits.

Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter through the Widener University employment portal. Please contact Shannon Mace at smace@helpmlp.org with any questions.

ABOUT HELP: MLP

The Health, Education, and Legal Assistance Project: A Medical-Legal Partnership at Widener University Delaware Law School (HELP: MLP) was established in 2009 to improve health by addressing unmet legal and social needs in partnership with evidence-based maternal and child health programs. HELP: MLP serves the southeastern Pennsylvania region through its partners, the Foundation for Delaware County’s Healthy Start and Nurse-Family Partnership programs, and Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership and Mabel Morris Family Home Visit Program. HELP: MLP serves more than 250 unique clients each year, resolving more than 500 legal matters. In addition to providing direct legal services, HELP: MLP attorneys work with partners to develop education materials and training and engage in systemic advocacy to improve community-wide health. For more information visit www.helpmlp.org. 

POSITION        

Part-time Staff Attorney (20 hours/week) at the HELP: MLP site based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Staff Attorney reports to HELP: MLP Managing Attorney, Director of Operations, and Director.

CONTEXT OF POSITION          

The Staff Attorney will be responsible for providing legal assistance to families who are participating in Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership and Mabel Morris Family Home Visit Program as well as providing training for our health care partners. Two HELP: MLP attorneys based in Philadelphia focus mainly on public benefits and housing matters while also counseling and/or referring clients on other legal issues in their lives. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide direct legal services to clients experiencing poverty. The primary legal issues currently handled are housing, utilities, and public benefits.  Interest and experience in family law would be a welcome addition to our scope of practice.
2. Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team to improve the lives of families living in poverty in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
3. Provide legal consultations to health care partners on issues that impact pregnant people and families living in poverty.
4. Develop training materials and presentations for health care partners and community members.
5. Engage in systemic advocacy efforts to improve community-wide policies.
6. Contribute to the development of publications and reports, including regular tracking legal casework and outcomes.
7. Participate in staff, coalition, partner, and community meetings.
8. Assist in drafting and analyzing legislation, regulations, and policies.
9. Supervise law students.
10. Other duties as assigned depending on funding and needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar.
2. At least one year of experience providing legal services to clients.
3. Commitment to improving the lives of families experiencing poverty.
4. Must be willing to travel within Philadelphia area as responsibilities require.
5. Excellent organizational skills and initiative.
6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
7. Interest in engaging a broad range of advocacy skills, including administrative and courtroom litigation.
8. Willingness and ability to perform duties in health care settings with professionals from other disciplines.
9. Must exhibit patience, tact, and respect when interacting with the public, clients, and partners.
10. Must be flexible since priorities and areas of emphasis may change depending on our funding and client needs.
    

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS    

1. Spanish fluency.
2. Subject matter expertise and experience resolving housing, public benefits and/or family law.
3. At least three years of experience providing civil legal services to clients experiencing poverty.
4. Prior experience working in a medical-legal partnership or interdisciplinary setting.
5. Lived experience that facilitates understanding, empathy, and connection to our clients and the challenges presented by poverty, racism, and bureaucracies.