Update
Now Hiring: Economic Justice Attorney
Published
July 23, 2024
About Us:
Virginia Poverty Law Center is a legal services organization dedicated to using advocacy, education and litigation to break down the systemic barriers that keep low-income Virginians in poverty.
Duties & Responsibilities
This attorney’s work will focus on consumer rights of low-income Virginians including fair debt collection, fair credit reporting, and fair lending. The attorney will also focus on the rights of workers, mainly the right to collect unemployment benefits.
VPLC works to bring about systemic change and we welcome creative approaches to old problems that keep people in poverty.
This attorney will be responsible for education of legal aid and pro bono attorneys on consumer rights and unemployment benefits. Education of the public and creation of self-help tools to empower low-income Virginians will also be a priority.
The attorney will also look for opportunities to work with other legal aid attorneys and private attorneys to engage in litigation that will bring about systemic change.
Advocacy at the Virginia General Assembly on consumer rights and unemployment benefits issues will also be a priority for this attorney.
Skills & Qualifications
- Required: Applicant must be a licensed Virginia attorney or eligible to waive in or work pursuant to the recently enacted limited waiver for Legal Aid work.
- Preferred: At least five years’ experience working as an attorney with a Legal Aid organization or a private attorney specializing in consumer rights and /or unemployment law.
Benefits: VPLC offers competitive compensation based on qualifications, a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits and parental leave. Paid holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO) is also offered.
Virginia Poverty Law Center provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regard to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.
DEI STATEMENT
Virginia Poverty Law Center’s workforce mirrors the diverse fabric of Virginia. This diversity informs and enriches our work, providing us with both the empathy and experience necessary to serve our clients effectively. Our commitment ͏to diversity, equity͏ and inclusion stand͏ as foundational values as we believe that a diverse team enriches our work experiences, deepens the connections to our clients, and makes a powerful and positive impact on the different communities we serve. We strive to encourage inclusion by creating a collaborative, respectful and connected work environment where employees feel supported and recognized. We believe that to unlock the full potential of our employees, we must adopt effective recruiting, retention and promotion practices that attract, retain and engage diverse advocates. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is an ongoing commitment that requires us to continually evaluate and measure our progress. We are committed to creating a culture through ongoing education and training that supports and develops the leadership skills of our employees. We are committed to creating a culture that reflects our core values and encourage you to apply if you are from a marginalized or underrepresented group (particularly in the legal field).
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of the Virginia Poverty Law Center to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Carol Gordon carol@vplc.org.
