Current Employment Opportunties

The Portland Regional Office of Legal Aid Services of Oregon is seeking an attorney to serve domestic and sexual violence survivors in Multnomah County. The position is a grant-funded position with the possibility of continued funding. Current funding will extend to December 2025. This will primarily be a family law caseload including representation of clients in restraining orders, divorce and custody matters with the opportunity to expand into other areas of civil litigation as it relates to crime victim rights. This position will be eligible for a partial remote work option.    

Background 

LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs focused on services to farmworkers and on issues impacting Native Americans. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program that is committed to advocacy strategies having the broadest possible impact on client community problems.  

The Portland Regional Office of LASO serves a poverty population of more than 220,000. The office serves Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Sherman and Wasco counties, a diverse service area requiring the ability to work effectively with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds. The Portland Office has adopted a race equity agenda to guide its work with clients as well as its internal operations. The office has a strong commitment to building an inclusive, diverse workplace. 

The position is funded by Oregon’s State Justice Reinvestment Grant Program and services are restricted to survivors of crime with legal matters that arise in Multnomah County.   

Responsibilities 

Responsibilities will include conducting weekly trauma-informed consultations and representing survivors of crime, including domestic and sexual violence and stalking and will be responsible for quarterly grant reporting alongside the Regional Director. The litigation caseload will include restraining orders, custody and divorce matters, and other civil legal needs. This attorney is also expected to work closely with community-based organizations as a liaison to LASO for organizations that that serve Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and immigrant communities to receive referrals, identify legal issues important to crime victims, conduct regular trainings and attend outreach events.  

Qualifications 

Competitive candidates will be bilingual in English and Spanish (or other commonly spoken language of our client populations); have proven interest in and commitment to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income Oregonians, specifically DV/SA survivors; experience providing trauma-informed services to survivors; enthusiasm, creativity, good judgment, initiative, and willingness to work collaboratively; as well as a demonstrated understanding and commitment to anti-bias principles, cultural competency and addressing systemic racism and other forms of oppression. LASO has a hiring preference for members of the Oregon State Bar.  

Salary/Benefits 

Compensation is based on a 35-hour work week. Salary range is $66.2K – 73.7K for 0-5 years’ experience; $75.2K – 81.2K for 6-10 years’ experience and $82.7K-105.2K for 11-32 years’ experience annually; salaries are determined by relevant work experience and our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Additional $4.3K annually for bilingual ability. Full benefits package including individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage; 6% employer retirement contribution; generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave; and paid moving expenses.  

Closing Date 

Review of resumes to begin on September 15, 2023. 

Applications 

Send resume and letter of interest to: 

projobs@lasoregon.org 

As a part of your letter of interest, please address the following: 

LASO is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. It is essential to our mission that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace environment in which differences are acknowledged and valued. 

How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to: (1) serve our diverse client communities effectively, (2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own, (3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients face, and (4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice? Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences in your response. 

Please note, we will not review applications that are not emailed directly to the above email address. 

If you require reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application/hiring process, please contact Meghan Collins, Director of Administration, at Meghan.Collins@lasoregon.org.  

We celebrate diversity  
LASO is committed to being an organization that reflects the communities we serve and is diverse in race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental and physical abilities, work background, experience and education. We believe that the outcome of such diversity is our greatest strength and a matter of basic human fairness. It is to this end that we strongly encourage applications from people of color; people from any other underrepresented and historically marginalized group; people who have experienced economic, social, or other barriers; people who have personally experienced discrimination or oppression; or can otherwise demonstrate a commitment to advancing our diversity mission. 

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO), is seeking a full-time Bilingual English/Spanish Intake Specialist for its downtown Portland office. While the person in this position will generally work from the Portland Office, we do offer the option of a remote work schedule. 

Background

LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program committed to advocacy strategies that will have a demonstrable effect on community problems. 

The Portland Regional Office of LASO (LASO-PRO) serves a poverty population of more than 220,000. The office serves Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Sherman and Wasco counties, a diverse service area requiring the ability to work effectively with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds. The Portland Office has adopted a race equity agenda to guide its work with clients as well as its internal operations. The office has a strong commitment to building an inclusive, diverse workplace.

Responsibilities

• Answer a high volume of incoming calls using a robust phone system and work with walk-in clients.
• Screen potential clients and perform screening interviews for consultations.
• Provide detailed referrals and general legal information.
• Identify legal issues.
• Maintain a calm demeanor in a demanding environment.
• Other receptionist / office support tasks as needed.

Qualifications

0–6 years of experience.

The ideal candidate has strong interpersonal and stress management skills, is highly organized and has experience with phone systems / reception tasks. Individuals committed to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income and other vulnerable populations are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be fluent in written and oral Spanish and English and be able to speak Spanish fluently in a professional environment.

Salary/Benefits

Compensation is based on a 35-hour work week. Salary range is $44.2K – 49.7K for 0-5 years’ experience; $50.8K – 55.2K for 6-10 years’ experience and $56.3K-66.2K for 11-20 years’ experience annually; salaries are determined by relevant work experience and our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Additional $4.3K annually for bilingual ability. Full benefits package including individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage; 6% employer retirement contribution; generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave; and paid moving expenses. 

Closing Date

Review of resumes to begin September 15, 2023.

Applications

Send cover letter and resume to:

Ada Sprengelmeyer, Administrator
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
520 SW Sixth Avenue, Suite 700
Portland, OR 97204
projobs@lasoregon.org

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:

LASO PRO is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for all members of our staff and clients. Please address how your personal background and experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to cultural responsiveness and diversity.

Please note – we will only review applications received via email and will not download applications submitted or recommended from employment platforms.

If you require reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application/hiring process, please contact Meghan Collins, Director of Administration, at Meghan.Collins@lasoregon.org. 

We celebrate diversity
LASO is committed to being an organization that reflects the communities we serve and is diverse in race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental and physical abilities, work background, experience and education. We believe that the outcome of such diversity is our greatest strength and a matter of basic human fairness. It is to this end that we strongly encourage applications from people of color and people from any other underrepresented and historically marginalized group to apply for this position.

The Portland Regional Office of Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is seeking a full-time Housing Law Paralegal / Outreach Worker to support the work of the Portland office’s Anti-Displacement Project (which includes partnerships with Self Enhancement, Inc., Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Native American Youth Association, Don’t Shoot PDX, and Rockwood Initiative) and a Fair Housing partnership with Urban League, El Programa Hispano Catolico, and Fair Housing Council of Oregon.

Background

LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs focused on services to farmworkers and on issues impacting Native Americans. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program that is committed to advocacy strategies having the broadest possible impact on client community problems.

The Portland Regional Office of LASO serves a poverty population of more than 220,000. The office serves Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Sherman and Wasco counties, a diverse service area requiring the ability to work effectively with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds. The Portland Office has adopted a race equity agenda to guide its work with clients as well as its internal operations. The office has a strong commitment to building an inclusive, diverse workplace.

Responsibilities

The duties of the Housing Law Paralegal / Outreach Worker include coordinating and providing trainings to community-based organizations that serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and immigrant communities on issues related to Fair Housing, gentrification, and displacement; identifying legal issues important to those communities; and conducting client interviews and consultations (by phone and in-person). In addition, this position will support the legal work and impact litigation in the office.

Qualifications

Proven interest in and commitment to advocacy for the legal rights of low-income and other vulnerable populations. Enthusiasm, creativity, good judgment, initiative, and willingness to work collaboratively.

Demonstrated understanding and commitment to anti-bias principles, cultural competency and addressing systemic racism and other forms of oppression. LASO has a hiring preference for candidates who are bilingual in Spanish and / or another language.

Salary/Benefits

Compensation is based on a 35-hour work week. Salary range is $46.2K – 52.2K for 0-5 years’ experience; $53.4K – 58.2K for 6-10 years’ experience and $59.4K-70.2K for 11-20 years’ experience annually; salaries are determined by relevant work experience and our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Additional $4.3K annually for bilingual ability. Full benefits package including individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage; 6% employer retirement contribution; generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave; and paid moving expenses. 

Closing Date

Review of resumes to begin September 4, 2023.

Applications
Send resume and letter of interest to:
projobs@lasoregon.org

 As a part of your letter of interest, please address the following:

LASO PRO is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for our staff and clients. Please address how your personal background and experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to cultural responsiveness and diversity. 

If you require reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application/hiring process, please contact Meghan Collins, Director of Administration, at Meghan.Collins@lasoregon.org.  

We celebrate diversity
LASO is committed to being an organization that reflects the communities we serve and is diverse in race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental and physical abilities, work background, experience and education. We believe that the outcome of such diversity is our greatest strength and a matter of basic human fairness. It is to this end that we strongly encourage applications from people of color; people from any other underrepresented and historically marginalized group; people who have experienced economic, social, or other barriers; people who have personally experienced discrimination or oppression; or can otherwise demonstrate a commitment to advancing our diversity mission.

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) is seeking an Executive Director. This position is based in the Portland Central Administrative Office and has an optional partially remote work schedule.

Background

LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program committed to advocacy strategies that will have a demonstrable effect on community problems.

LASO is actively working to build an inclusive organizational culture that centers on racial equity. LASO is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a welcoming and culturally responsive environment for our staff and clients.

Summary of Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible to the Legal Aid Service of Oregon (LASO) Board of Directors (Board) for the day-to-day direction and operation of Legal Aid Services of Oregon. The Executive Director assures adequate funding, staffing, accounting, Oregon State Bar, political, and other necessary support, and program coordination, so other employees can dedicate themselves to the provision of the highest quality legal services to eligible clients. The Executive Director is also responsible for program development in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

Essential Functions

Program Responsibilities (Internal)

Provision of High Quality, Effective Legal Services:

• Determine long-range program direction and plan to achieve LASO’s mission
• Maintain work environment for high quality, effective legal services
• Coordinate LASO components with Directors of Farmworker and Native American Programs
• Oversee internal monitoring and evaluation
• Develop priority-setting process and assure compliance with program-wide priorities
• Assure effective private attorney involvement (PAI) program
• Plan program-wide meetings
• Work with local and central office managers to coordinate and make necessary decisions about program-wide issues

Board of Directors:

• Present draft annual budget and potential adjustments to Board in a timely manner
• Assist in determination of Board membership
• Keep Board informed of major program developments
• Prepare agenda (with LASO Executive Committee) and materials for Board meetings
• Implement Board policies
• Perform or delegate staff work for Board committees

Personnel:

• Hire, promote, supervise, and dismiss Regional Directors and Central Office staff
• Oversee employee quality, professionalism, effectiveness, and morale
• Handle employee grievances;
• Oversee arbitration of grievances;
• Participate in Labor-Management Committee
• Handle (with support, as necessary) collective bargaining and union relationships
• Travel to various LASO offices throughout the state and to OSB, CEJ, local bar association, and Oregon affinity bar association events, as necessary

Finances:

• Oversee program finances (with Director of Finance)
• Ensure cost-effective management
• Draft program budget
• Engage in fiscal forecasting
• Support adequate Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funding
• Develop and maintain other statewide and local funding

Legal Work Management:

• With the assistance of the State Support Unit, and in conjunction with Regional Directors and Supervising Attorneys, oversee the legal work of the program and implement policies and rules related to legal work

Program Responsibilities (External)

Relations with LSC:

• Represent program positions
• Negotiate contracts
• Attend national meetings
• Prepare for and oversee LSC reviews and evaluation
• Assure compliance with LSC regulations
• Keep up to date on LSC developments and publications and maintain relationships with key personnel

Relations with the OSB:

• Attend as ex-officio member of OSB Legal Services Program Committee
• Represent LASO’s position at annual OSB House of Delegates
• Support and coordinate OSB access to justice initiatives
• Maintain relationship and advocate legal services needs with OSB, local bar associations, and Oregon affinity bar associations
• Promote PAI delivery of services to low-income clients

Relations with other funders:

• Develop and maintain relationships with, and support the activities of, other LASO funders such as the Campaign for Equal Justice, the Oregon Law Foundation, and other public and private funders

Relations with other Legal Services Programs and Related Programs:

• Coordinate services, fundraising, and resource allocation with the Oregon Law Center
• Maintain liaison with legal services programs in Medford and Eugene
• Maintain liaison and assist other independent programs in Oregon
• Maintain contact with legal services programs regionally and nationally

Relations with Public Bodies and Officials (consistent with LSC regulations):

• Represent LASO at the Oregon Legislature and before other public bodies and elected and other officials
• Maintain relations with Oregon’s legislative leadership and congressional delegation

Relations with National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) and Other National Legal Services Support Organizations:

• Represent program positions
• Keep up to date on positions and materials

Relations with News Media:

• Coordinate all contact with global, national, state, and local news media related to LASO

Program Development Responsibilities

Unserved and Underserved Areas of Oregon:

• Plan for statewide development of legal services
• Advocate need with LSC and other funding sources
• Work with areas outside of reach of office network to develop viable programs

Farmworker, Native American and Other Special Legal Services Needs:

• Plan for development of programs
• Advocate with LSC and other funding sources to protect and increase funding
• Work with migrant, Hispanic/Latina/os, Native Americans, and other client groups and individuals in development of other programs

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated ability to lead teams that use legal services to cause significant change to improve the lives of low-income clients;
Strong interpersonal communication and public speaking skills, positive attitude, sense of humor, healthy self-awareness, and cultural competence;
Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and mentoring for legal and administrative teams;
Excellent legal research, writing, negotiation, and analytical skills;
Experience in financial oversight, development of budgets, and compliance with grant and contract requirements;
Enthusiasm, initiative, creativity, commitment, and record of successful work on poverty issues;
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of community partners, stakeholder, and funders;
Passionate advocate for the legal rights of low-income clients;
Ability to inspire co-workers and project calm competence in challenging circumstances;
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative process;
Ability to think creatively when addressing our clients’ issues;
Strong work ethic coupled with an optimist’s enthusiasm and a pragmatist’s desire for action; and
Admission to the Oregon State Bar or willing and able to attain admittance through comity or bar examination within nine months of hire.

PREFERENCES

Not less than ten years of relevant experience, preferably including experience working as a legal aid manager or LSC-funded program for more than five years or in a management position managing budgets and a significant number of employees;
Experience with multiple categories of litigation, including complex litigation, impact litigation, and other litigation on behalf of low-income clients;
Organization-savvy, creative approach to problem solving;
Experience providing supervision and leadership in a legal aid office; and
Personal experience with poverty, disability, or any other historically underrepresented or marginalized group.

Salary/Benefits

Salary depends on experience. Salary range for this position is: $105,000-$140,000. Full benefits package including individual and family health, vision and dental insurance coverage; 6% employer retirement contribution; generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave; and paid moving expenses.

Closing Date

Review of resumes to begin August 18, 2023.

Applications

Send cover letter and resume to:

Iván Resendiz Gutierrez, Board Chair
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
520 SW Sixth Avenue, Suite 1130
Portland, OR 97204
centraljobs@lasoregon.org

If you require reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application/hiring process, please contact Meghan Collins, Director of Administration, at Meghan.Collins@lasoregon.org. 

As part of your cover letter, please address the following:  LASO is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for all members of our staff and clients. Please address how your personal background and experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to cultural responsiveness and diversity.

We celebrate diversity

LASO is committed to being an organization that reflects the communities we serve and is diverse in race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, or sensory, mental, and physical abilities, work background, experience, and education. We believe that the outcome of such diversity is our greatest strength and a matter of basic human fairness. It is to this end that we strongly encourage applications from people of color; people from any other underrepresented and historically marginalized group; people who have experienced economic, social, or other barriers; people who have personally experienced discrimination or oppression; or can otherwise demonstrate a commitment to advancing our diversity mission.