Renter Attorney

The Renter Attorney position with Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) will provide civil legal assistance to Montanans who are unstable in their current housing situation. This position will handle all aspects of legal representation including client contact, pleading preparation, research, file maintenance, hearing and trial work. While this position will serve Montanans statewide, the attorney will primarily provide housing assistance to clients in Bozeman.

Key Responsibilities

• Interview, meet with, advise, and represent eligible clients on civil matters.
• Develop and maintain specialized knowledge of housing law and general poverty law issues.
• Compose correspondence, pleadings and other documents.
• Research the law and prepare memoranda.
• Provide services ranging from brief counsel and advice, to more extended representation on housing issues affecting MLSA clients.

• Handle all aspects of legal representation including client contact, pleading preparation, research, file maintenance, hearing and trial work.
• File pleadings in local courts (conventional and electronic); investigate, examine and analyze documents obtained from the court files, in discovery and from other sources as needed or requested.

• Work with other MLSA staff to recruit, train and support pro bono attorneys.
• Provide civil legal education to the client community and to community partners.
• Support the development of legal resources in the area of housing law.
• Collaborate with community partners who also work with low-income populations concerning their housing.
• Collaborate with the City of Bozeman concerning grant requirements.
• Collaborate with Bozeman Tenants United as approved by the Supervisor.

• Participate in MLSA statewide initiatives and impact work and implement grant and contract requirements through casework.
• Hold regular office hours as required at partner agencies, on the reservation, or in other communities that may be assigned based on grant funding.
• Develop law-related educational programs and materials directed to the client community or agencies regarding the legal rights and responsibilities of tenants.

• Develop and maintain specialized knowledge of the legal needs of tenants, and of general poverty law issues.
• Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, Director of Advocacy or Executive Director.

Qualifications
Required

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• Admission to the Montana Bar or ability to obtain admission.
• Strong legal research, writing, and advocacy skills.
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to serving low-income, rural, and underserved populations ensuring equal access to justice.
• A willingness to assume a varied case load.
• Ability and willingness to learn and integrate new technologies and methodologies to efficiently perform
• A willingness to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, the public, judges, court personnel, project partners and the
• Ability to travel in state and outside Montana, occasionally

Preferred 

• At least three years’ experience in the practice of law.
• Background working with housing law.
• An understanding of the civil equal justice legal needs of low-income people, including the unique needs of populations that experience particular barriers to access to justice systems, and of effective approaches and methods for addressing those needs.
• Experience working collaboratively and empathetically with diverse groups of colleagues, firm partners, and clients who have varying cultural backgrounds, perspectives, experience, and expertise.
• Knowledge of substantive legal areas affecting low-income people.

Competencies

• Commitment to trauma-informed practices.
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially with multiple timelines within a decentralized statewide law firm.
• High attention to detail and consistent follow-through.
• Skilled interpersonal communicator able to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment with statewide travel required, including to rural communities.
• Primarily sedentary and performed in an office environment, requiring regular use of computer and phone and the ability to alternate between sitting and standing at a workstation for most of the workday.
• Occasional travel to national conferences.
• Occasional evening or weekend meetings or trainings.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.