Positions Available
Access Justice (AJ) is a unique and recently established full service non-profit public interest law firm that offers quality and affordable legal services to un- and under-represented segments of the population (low- and moderate-income individuals) and to small nonprofit organizations of limited means. Both pro bono (free) and “low bono” (reduced fee) representation are offered, with hourly rates never to exceed $99.
Our new business model shows that Access Justice, as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization and public interest law firm dedicated to serving “ordinary, working class people,” is both vitally needed and can make a significant contribution to the lives of low- and moderate-income people who are only slightly above the federal poverty level. The organization has completed its initial Phase 1 of development, and is now accepting cases, strengthening its Board and engaging in both short- and long-term financial development efforts.
In building our Access Justice team during Phase 2 of our operations, we are looking for experienced, highly qualified and committed professionals (including an Associate Director and several new, experienced, semi-retired and/or retired attorneys with strong credentials) who (1) have available and are initially able to commit to a consistent and reliable amount of volunteer time each week for about four (4) months during AJ’s current expansion phase, and/or who (2) are willing and able to help the Executive Director and Board effectively launch the services of this unique law firm, either directly or indirectly, by providing some assistance with fundraising efforts to locate and secure sufficient start-up and general operations funding (from law firms, corporations, foundations and/or individuals). That funding support will allow AJ to provide greater legal services to unserved clients while we continue to seek other long-term financial support over the next several months, in order to help Access Justice hire permanent paid professional staff to carry out our mission on behalf of low- and moderate-income people.
During this next phase of our operations, Access Justice will fill several key positions, in some or all cases initially with volunteers. The listed staff positions will be filled as soon as possible with paid permanent staff upon adequate funding, with a strong preference in our final choices for those who have been generously able to demonstrate their competence and commitment to Access Justice as a volunteer during this critical Phase 2 of our operations.
Depending on the timing and amount of funding we receive in the months ahead, positions listed below will remain open until a qualified person is found with both the energy and commitment to the purposes and goals of AJ, and with the willingness and ability to volunteer for up to four (4) months. Applicants must have very strong credentials, their own laptop (and be relatively computer savvy) and initially be able to work independently from his/her own office at times.
Associate Director – Full- or part-time Attorney and/or MBA to serve as Associate Director.
AJ seeks one or more excellent Attorneys and/or MBA with broad experience (at least 5 years) and strong management skills to act as Associate Directors. The Associate Directors will have several organizational duties, both substantively and administratively. She/he will (1) guide the implementation and management of the legal services program; (2) ensure the hiring and integrity of staff and independent contracting attorneys, as well as other professional staff positions; (3) be responsible for the hiring and work ethic of professional and administrative staff, as well as the screening/eligibility for legal services of potential clients; and (4) work hand-in-hand with the Executive Director and Board of Directors in fund-raising, budgeting, marketing and planning for the long-term growth of Access Justice; and preferably have experience with or knowledge of nonprofit organizations. Bi- or multi-lingual skills are a strong plus. Access Justice is looking for these Attorneys or Managers to be an integral part of our professional leadership team and to help us fulfill our public interest law and charitable/educational objectives as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Up to three (3) possible Associate Directors may be engaged and hired upon adequate funding: one overseeing legal services; another dealing with staff and management; and a third focusing on fundraising and development.
Send resume, cover letter, references and writing sample(s) to vanna@AccessJustice.net, eva@AccessJustice.net, and jim@AccessJustice.net.
Grant Writer — Access Justice (AJ) seeks an excellent and experienced Grant Writer to help further our exciting effort (which began operations in the fall of 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and expects to expand statewide and nationwide over time). Applicant must be able to work independently from his/her own office when necessary. Knowledge of Social Media communications and blogging a large plus. If qualified and interested, this person will serve as, or have the opportunity to become Access Justice’s full-time Development Director, with widespread responsibilities. Applicants must have strong credentials; expertise in Microsoft Suite; and demonstrated prior success in grant writing and development preferred.
Send resume, cover letter, references and writing sample(s) to noah@accessjustice.net, eva@accessjustice.net, and jim@accessjustice.net.
Full- and Part-Time Attorneys & Paralegals — Access Justice (AJ) seeks excellent attorneys and paralegals to expand Phase 2 of our efforts, which has begun with the acceptance of many unserved clients and review of the requests of innumerable other potential clients.
We are looking for persons with solid prior success and a genuine commitment to contribute legal services that can improve the lives of low- and moderate-income working class people who are only slightly above the federal poverty level but not of sufficient means to hire a private attorney.
We are seeking both experienced staff attorneys, paralegals, and independent contractor “Network Attorneys,” each preferably with at least 5 years of prior practice, who are willing to provide pro bono and “low bono” (significantly reduced rates/fees) assistance to meet the legal needs of our fast-increasing base of clients. Attorneys and paralegals will work substantively on cases, in-court litigation, out-of-court settlements and ADR, and will be responsible in appropriate instances for collaborating with other public interest and private attorneys. Bi- or multi-lingual skills are a strong plus.
Send resume, cover letter, references and writing sample(s) to eva@accessjustice.net, steve@accessjustice.net, and vanna@accessjustice.net.
Development Director — Access Justice (AJ), seeks an experienced development director who will have overall responsibility for ensuring adequate funding for our programs and services and for planning our future growth. She/he will have extensive experience in nonprofit and for-profit organizational development and management. She/he will take a leadership role in a wide range of fund-raising efforts, including grant proposal writing, marketing, core organizational development, communication efforts, capital and planned giving programs, direct mail and/or telemarketing, and other nonprofit development activities. She/he will work hand in had with our staff and off-site grant writers. Bi- or multi-lingual skills are a strong plus.
Send resume, cover letter, references and writing sample(s) to noah@accessjustice.net, eva@accessjustice.net, and jim@accessjustice.net.
Executive Assistant/Bookkeeper — Access Justice (AJ), is seeking an excellent Executive Assistant/Bookkeeper. The Executive Assistant will work directly with and under the direction of the Executive Director of Access Justice, and must have excellent professional, communication, and computer skills. Among other duties, he/she initially will organize the basic filing system, streamline the in-house computer and external phone system, and handle modest bookkeeping needs. The successful applicant will be highly organized, self-motivated and an expert in many computer programs, as well as able to work independently and effectively from his/her own business/residential office, if and as may be needed. She/he will also assist our in-house professional staff in their wide-ranging legal assistance efforts.
Experience and skills required include demonstrated skills in: typing, handling telephone calls and reception desk; Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, etc.; at least 3 to 6 months of prior and solid bookkeeping experience in a nonprofit or small business setting; attention to detail. Experience as a paralegal or in a legal environment is a plus, but not essential. Preferred applicants will demonstrate a commitment to public service and social justice. Ability to juggle numerous duties at once is essential, as is experience with a diverse and multicultural clientele. Bi- or multi-lingual skills are a strong plus.
Send resume, cover letter, references and writing sample(s) to vanna@accessjustice.net, steve@accessjustice.net, and dave@accessjustice.net.
For Law Schools to Post and Make Available to Students:
Law Clerks (Full or Part-Time) – Access Justice (AJ) is a unique and recently established full service non-profit public interest law firm that offers quality and affordable legal services to unserved and under-represented segments of the population (low- and moderate-income working class people) and to organizations such as small nonprofits of limited means. Both pro bono and “low bono” representation (significantly reduced hourly rates or fixed, flat fee arrangements) are offered, with hourly rates never to exceed $99. AJ is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity.
AJ seeks excellent Law Clerks (3-, 2- OR 1L) to help launch this exciting effort (which began operations in the fall of 2009 in Minneapolis, MN, and will expand statewide and nationwide over time). Applicant must have strong academic credentials (preferably top 20% or higher of class), a laptop AND be able to work independently from his/her own office when necessary. We are looking for persons with some prior success and a genuine commitment to contribute to the lives of low- and moderate-income working class people who are only slightly above the federal poverty level but not of sufficient means to have a private attorney. Applicants should (1) commit to a consistent and reliable amount of volunteer time each week, and (2) be able to continue clerking during the next semester as a volunteer or for credit, or until we find other long-term support for our efforts over the next several months in order to hire permanent paid staff and law clerks.
Send resume, cover letter, references and writing sample(s) to steve@accessjustice.net, vanna@accessjustice.net, and dave@accessjustice.net.
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