Job Description

Associate Attorney

Applicant Instructions:

Interested candidates should send a position-specific résumé and cover letter to employment@uchcdetroit.org. 

Position Overview:

UCHC Associate Attorneys work under the direction of the Executive Director and the Director of Legal Services. Ideal candidates have excellent writing, communication, and problem-solving skills. They must be able to work both independently and collaboratively and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Candidates must have sound legal judgment and the ability to think creatively, quickly grasp legal issues and factual claims, and be compassionate and detail-oriented. Candidates must also work well with various people, including clients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds, meet deadlines, and manage caseloads effectively. 

Responsibilities:

• Conducting client intake, including completion of all necessary forms for clients. 
• Serving clients who may need various legal assistance, including tax-foreclosure-prevention counseling, mortgage-foreclosure-prevention counseling, landlord-tenant and eviction-prevention assistance, and land-contract counseling. 
• Providing court representation, which may include physical and remote appearances in state and federal courts and related administrative proceedings, in addition to preparing pleadings. 
• Maintaining client confidentiality under all circumstances. 
• Interacting with other staff to advise on and facilitate executing the organization’s programmatic and/or operational initiatives. 
• Drafting and filing legal documents with the appropriate government agencies. 
• Collecting and tracking necessary documents for client service and reporting. 
• Drafting correspondence to clients and government agencies. 
• Participating in various organization staff meetings. 
• Perform with high professionalism and respect for clients and colleagues. 
• Providing other assistance that may be necessary to further the program's or the organization's goals. 
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or the Director of Legal Services. 

Eligibility:

• A J.D. from an accredited law school is required. 
• Admission to the bar is not required initially; however, candidates must pass the bar exam and obtain their license within one year of hire. 
• Associate Attorneys will work under the supervision of a licensed attorney. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in housing law and civil litigation preferred. 
• Ability to evaluate evidence and determine whether legal standards have been met. 
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. 
• Ability to apply legal standards to factual situations. 
• Ability to guide non-lawyers with the application of legal standards. 

Specifics:

• This is a full-time position. Associate Attorneys will represent clients in court or virtual hearings as determined by the court and by UCHC. Attorneys will also work in UCHC’s Detroit-based office and occasionally work from home.
• Salary is commensurate with experience. UCHC offers generous medical benefits and time off.
• Schedule: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday, though some additional time may be required, depending on court filings.
• Expected start date: as soon as possible.

Employee Benefits:

• Competitive starting salary with room for advancement.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and group life.
• Generous PTO program.
• Generous holiday program.
• A focus on work/life balance.

About UCHC:

The United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC) is a nonprofit comprehensive housing assistance organization that has provided various housing-related services to Detroit's low-income residents since 1973.

UCHC has worked with tenants, homesteaders, homeowners, the homeless, and community organizations rebuilding neighborhoods and providing affordable housing, religious, civil rights, labor, and housing advocacy organizations to improve, preserve, and expand affordable housing opportunities for low-income Detroiters.

Because of its long history and significant expertise as a comprehensive housing services provider in Michigan, UCHC is frequently asked to advise other organizations in communities across southeast Michigan.

All services are provided to income-eligible families and individuals free of charge.

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