Employment Opportunities at Youth, Rights & Justice

Youth, Rights & Justice Staff Attorney

Classification: Full time, exempt

Salary Range: Starting salary of $52,000 and up depending on relevant experience

Reports To: Supervising attorneys

Date Posted: 7/31/2017

All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or age.

Job Description

Summary: Seeking a juvenile or criminal defense attorney to join Youth, Rights & Justice to represent clients in the Multnomah County Juvenile Court, the Oregon Court of Appeals and the Oregon Supreme Court.

Essential Functions:

Exercising good judgement and effectuating the best result for each client based on the facts of each case and the wishes of the client.
Vigorous motion practice, thorough investigation and research. Produce accurate well researched memoranda for trial and motion practice.
Exploring alternative dispositions. Advises client appropriately regarding dispositional outcomes and alternatives.
Pursuing ongoing education and training in field and related topics by attending Continuing Legal Education programs. Active bar members shall complete a minimum of 45 credit hours every three years. At least six of the required hours shall be in subjects relating to ethics, including one hour on the subject of a lawyer’s statutory duty to report child abuse or elder abuse. In alternate reporting periods, at least three of the required hours must be in programs accredited for access to justice pursuant to Rule 5.5(b). Keep informed of current changes in juvenile law and related fields by reading monthly Oregon Advance Sheet. Use resource materials appropriately.
Effectively organizing time to maximize effectiveness for clients and YRJ. Accurately maintains Defender Data, personal calendar, etc.
Maintains appropriately documented client e-files.
Effectively working with legal assistants, investigators and law clerks.
Working cooperatively with other YRJ attorneys and staff.
Providing coverage for other attorney’s cases when requested.
Be committed to YRJ’s mission.
Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Experience:

Be in good standing and admitted to practice in Oregon
Excellent legal writing skills
Experience handling dependency and delinquency cases
Juvenile or criminal appellate practice
Ability to work collaboratively, independently and to build and strengthen community partnerships

Preferred Experience:

Felony Qualified with a minimum of 2-3 years of experience.

Desired Skill:

Bilingual. A salary differential is provided to attorneys who are fluent in a language spoken and written by YRJ clients.

Work environment:

The job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Reliable transportation to and from court, home visits, client meetings, etc is required.

Physical Demands:

This position requires sitting for periods of time and the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.

Travel:

Travel is sometimes necessary for this position.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume and legal writing sample via email to jobs@youthrightsjustice.org. Interviews will start the week of August 7, 2017.

Please no phone calls.