POSITION: The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is seeking a Contract Attorney for COVID-19 related eviction prevention advocacy. This is a one-year contract position that is focused on providing advice, brief service, and representation to tenants at risk of eviction across the state. The temporary eviction moratorium in place due to COVID-19 expired on July 15th, and MPLP expects increased need for legal assistance in housing cases—not only from existing clients, but also from newly unemployed community members who are unable to afford housing and facing eviction, lawfully or not. LSC-funded programs around the state have added additional staff to represent clients, but MPLP is adding an attorney to assist tenants who are not eligible for help from LSC-funded programs, primarily due to immigration status. The Contract Attorney will be advising and representing tenants facing eviction across the state, doing outreach to non-LSC eligible clients, and engaging in other support activities related to eviction prevention. Some travel may be required, although much of the work will be done remotely.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is a statewide legal resource program located in Ypsilanti. MPLP provides state support services to local legal services programs and other poverty law advocates. Our goals are to support the advocacy of civil legal aid programs; to coordinate advocacy for low income individuals and families in Michigan; to assure that a full range of advocacy continues on behalf of the poor; and to lead policy and systemic advocacy efforts in Michigan on behalf of low income families and vulnerable populations. We work directly with local advocates by providing open access to case consultation, co-counseling, or referrals for current clients, and trainings. MPLP is a program of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services, which manages five statewide programs serving immigrant communities (Michigan Immigrant Rights Center), vulnerable older adults (Michigan Elder Justice Initiative), victims of domestic violence and elder abuse (Crime Victims Legal Assistance Program), and providing access to legal information to self-represented litigants (Michigan Legal Help Program). Visit mplp.org and miadvocacy.org for more information.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants should be licensed to practice law in Michigan, qualified to be admitted by waiver, or able to take the next Michigan bar exam. Applicants must possess excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills as well as a demonstrated commitment to serving low-income individuals and underserved populations through lived or learned experience. Legal aid and/or litigation experience is a plus. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in Spanish.
BENEFITS: Salary is from $47,000 depending on experience and includes excellent benefits.
The Michigan Poverty Law Program is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
TO APPLY:
- Complete this application form.
- Send resume and cover letter to jobs@mplp.org with “MPLP EDP Contract Attorney” in the subject line.
Applications received by 1/8/21 will receive priority.
Date Posted 12/17/2020
