Community Legal Aid Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO)'s mission is to provide civil legal aid and advocacy to overcome unfairness and injustice, reduce poverty, and increase opportunity. LASCO has a long-standing history of being committed to searching out the patterns, causes of, and solutions to the repetitive and fundamental legal problems facing low-income Ohioans and pursuing the legal recourse needed to address those problems. Since 1966, our organizations have helped thousands of Ohio's poor obtain and keep housing, secure public benefits, worked with families to gain and maintain economic stability, and helped domestic violence survivors to live free of fear and abuse and to obtain the resources needed to sustain themselves and their children.

Building comprehensive routes out of poverty includes focusing on issues impacting veterans. Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) is committed to supporting legal services for veterans who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness, including enforcement of federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws in housing.

The Moritz College of Law and LASCO, in conjunction with the Grassbaugh Veterans Project Fund are offering a one-year Fellowship for the 2026-2027, autumn to autumn timeframe. The Fellow, working under the supervision of attorneys at LASCO, will offer legal support to the veteran community in the LASCO service area through identifying and improving services for veterans as well as supporting their legal needs. They will have opportunities to engage in client education and outreach, initial consultation and case assessments, case acceptance discussions, and impact project planning. The Fellow (Staff Attorney) will be full-time and will spend their time working on cases, preparing trainings, consulting with legal aid attorneys and volunteers, and organizing work strategy to meet the needs of veterans.

This call for interest is for recent Moritz College of Law graduates who will sit for the Ohio July 2026 Bar exam or is recently licensed in Ohio. This position is intended to run for one-year, starting in fall of 2026. In this role, you will be responsible for providing legal counsel and advice as well as direct representation upon licensure as well as collaborating with partner organizations in providing legal assistance to our communities.

Are You Someone Who:

• Is dedicated to improving the lives of low-income individuals in our communities?
• Enjoys helping clients triumph over adversity?
• Is motivated, professional and thrives within a collaborative, team-driven environment?
• Believes successful resolution can be reached beyond traditional litigation?
• Is interested in developing a wide range of legal skills and experiences?

You Will:

• Handle all functions related to legal advocacy ranging from intake to the representation of clients before local, state, appellate and federal courts, and all relevant agencies
• Maintain a caseload that includes both direct service and impact work
• Participate in program and agency community legal education and outreach efforts, particularly as they relate to the opioid crisis response
• Participate in outreach activities, clinics and other community events
• Collaborate with other legal services attorneys on statewide advocacy
• Promote and build community relationships by engaging with the public and partner service providers
• Have the opportunity to participate in excellent on-going professional development including CLE-approved trainings on substantive poverty law and advocacy skills among others
• Be a part of a community of collaborative and mission driven professionals
• Provides other assistance to attorneys as requested by the Managing Attorney or Executive Director.

Requirements

You Have:

• Strong legal advocacy skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• High ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion
• High ability to facilitate collaboration as well as build and sustain productive relationships with diverse groups and organizations
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and written, with diverse audiences
• A commitment to access for all people with a wide variety of lived experiences both internally and externally
• A commitment to providing culturally competent services
• Strong work ethic
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, knowledge of current technologies and commitment to remain up to date with industry best practices
• English language proficiency is essential and Spanish/English bilingual skills are a plus. Additional languages - even better
• Recent Juris Doctor from Moritz College of Law and admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio (or currently pending bar results)
• Prior Legal Aid or related work experience a plus, but not required

Other Details:

• It is the policy of LASCO not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, and military status or any other characteristic protected by law.
• This position reports to a Managing Attorney, is based in Columbus, Ohio and requires some travel throughout the service area.
• This Fellowship is in coordination with the Moritz College of Law and Grassbaugh Veterans Project Fund.
• Salary begins at $72,000 and requires a 1-year commitment.
• LASCO offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package, currently including an employer funded HRA (up to $12,000), employer-paid employee dental and vision insurance, a language skills differential ($2,500-$3,500 annually), paid vacation, sick and holiday time, LRAP (up to $6,000), and ongoing training and development opportunities.

To Apply: Submit resume, references, and letter of interest.