Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow

Legal Aid of Arkansas (LAA) is a public interest, not-for-profit law firm dedicated to assuring equal access to justice in civil matters for low income Arkansans through legal representation, advocacy, community partnerships, education and outreach.

The Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow will be responsible for providing civil legal assistance, outreach, and education to economically distressed individuals who are clients of Federally Qualified Health Centers in Eastern Arkansas and at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Positions are contingent on host site receiving grant funding. 

The AmeriCorps Legal Fellow will also be responsible for recruiting, training, and managing interns, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys; plus providing legal training to medical providers.

Two (2) positions are available

1. in LAA’s Helena-West Helena or West Memphis office; and

2. at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

Start date is between August 1 and September 15, 2011. Term of service is at least 11 months for the first year, with a possibility of renewal.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Handle caseload, counsel and advise clients on their legal rights, conduct legal research and writing and represent clients in court;
• Recruit, train, and manage interns, volunteers, medical partners and pro bono attorneys, including supervising Summer Corps fellows;
• Develop informational and legal education materials;
• Assure that Medical-Legal information on the program website is accurate and updated;
• Coordinate and conduct community education and outreach at community forums, continuing legal education seminars, and medical clinics;
• Assume general administrative responsibilities, including grant compliance, timekeeping and case management.

Qualifications:

• Licensed to practice law in Arkansas, awaiting bar results or reciprocity as of August 2011, or willing to sit for the Arkansas bar exam in February, 2012;
• Familiarity with, and interest in, working in low income and diverse communities;
• Commitment to public interest work and strong desire to assist indigent clients;
• Strong writing, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
• Prior experience or training in the medical field preferred;
• Valid driver's license, liability insurance, and access to an automobile;
   

LAA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status.

AmeriCorps Fellowship Compensation ($40,000, which includes):

• Living allowance of $24,200;
• $1,317 per month stipend;
• $100 monthly loan repayment assistance from LAA, if applicable;

Other Benefits and Professional Opportunities:
Standard fellowship benefits:

• Eligibility to place all qualified student loans into forbearance and receive an interest accrual payment at the end of service;
• Opportunity to attend a national training program to develop leadership skills, learn effective practices to accomplish your projects and meet colleagues from across the country, and
• Child care assistance (if income eligible).

In addition to the standard fellowship benefits, LAA will also provide:

• Medical, dental, and life insurance;
• Supreme Court and State or Local Bar dues;
• Mileage reimbursement and per diem when applicable;
• Retirement plan contribution per program policy;
• Liberal vacation/sick leave and holidays, and
• Training and continuing legal education in relevant poverty law areas, as needed.