Miadvocacy

POSITION

The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is seeking applicants for a systemic litigation attorney with a primary focus on racial justice for low-income and other disadvantaged communities. MPLP seeks an experienced, strategic, and dynamic attorney to expand its systemic litigation capacity. The Systemic Litigation Attorney will identify, develop, and lead high-impact civil litigation designed to improve the health, safety, and economic security of low-income Michiganders, with a primary focus on advancing racial equity.

Working across MPLP’s priority areas—including consumer law, family law, housing law, and public benefits, the attorney will identify emerging racial justice legal issues, develop innovative litigation strategies, and pursue cases with the potential to create lasting systemic change. The attorney will collaborate closely with MPLP’s subject-matter attorneys, legal aid programs throughout Michigan, pro bono counsel, law school clinics, community organizations, and state and national advocacy organizations to develop and advance a racial justice agenda in the context of civil legal services and poverty law advocacy.

In addition to bringing their own cases, the Systemic Litigation Attorney will help strengthen the capacity of Michigan’s legal aid community by co-counseling cases, providing training and technical assistance, and developing practical litigation resources to support advocates statewide in advancing racial justice.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is a statewide legal resource program located in Ypsilanti. MPLP provides support services statewide to legal services programs and other poverty law advocates. Our goals are to support the advocacy of civil legal aid programs; to coordinate advocacy for individuals and families with low-income; to assure that a full range of advocacy continues on behalf of the poor; and to lead policy and systemic advocacy and litigation efforts in Michigan on behalf of families with low-income and vulnerable populations. We work directly with local advocates by providing open access to case consultation, co-counseling, or referrals for current clients, and trainings. MPLP is part of the Committee on Regional Training (CORT). CORT is a four-state training consortium that provides substantive law and skills trainings for legal services attorneys in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. MPLP is a program of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit organization providing free legal services to individuals and families with low-income, Michigan’s immigrant communities, older adults and adults with disabilities through several statewide programs. Visit mplp.org and michigansas.org for more information.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify, develop, and lead systemic litigation and appellate advocacy designed to improve the health, safety, and economic security of low-income Michiganders, with a focus on advancing racial equity
• Bring affirmative litigation and pursue appeals in state and federal court
• Identify and implement strategies to challenge racialized systems and practices
• Collaborate with MPLP subject-matter attorneys, Michigan legal aid programs, community organizations, and state and national advocacy organizations to identify, develop, and bring systemic litigation
• Organize trainings and create resources for legal aid advocates and other poverty advocates on issues related to systemic litigation
• Provide legal and technical support to legislators, policymakers, community organizations, legal services attorneys, and other poverty law advocates on racial justice issues in the context of poverty law

QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. and licensed (or eligible to become licensed) to practice law in Michigan
• Minimum 5 years legal experience
• Demonstrated litigation experience, appellate experience
• Ability to assume significant leadership in impact litigation
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and knowledge of the body of law that provides potential claims to challenge racial injustice and disparities in the poverty law context
• Demonstrated ability to work with client groups, community-based groups, and coalitions
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong organizational skills, strategic thinker, and creative
• Commitment to MSAS’s mission to advance the safety, independence, and economic stability of those most affected by poverty, racism, and other structurally oppressive systems by increasing access to justice and working for systemic solutions

BENEFITS

This is a full-time position with a salary range of $72,520-$100,006 depending on experience. MSAS offers a generous benefits package including life, short- and long-term disability, health, vision, dental and flexible spending accounts. If an applicant does not require health benefits, they have the option to take an annual $1,500 payout in addition to the base salary paid over the course of the year. MSAS also has a generous leave policy allowing staff to accrue 3 weeks paid vacation the first year and 15 paid holidays, as well as a 401K retirement plan including employer match for eligible staff after 6 months of employment. MSAS is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

The Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.