Student Legal Services @ Colorado State University

Staff Attorney Position Job Description

Student Legal Services

Division of Student Affairs

Colorado State University

The Division of Student Affairs at Colorado State University is a comprehensive student affairs program serving a major state university and land grant college. The Division of Student Affairs encompasses a wide array of services and programs in departments addressing the needs of a student body of 25,000 students.

Student Legal Services supports the mission of Colorado State by enhancing the educational experience of students through assistance in their legal entanglements, advocacy of alternative dispute resolution and education in their rights and responsibilities associated with contributing to a civic-minded community.

Position Title: Staff Attorney, Student Legal Services

Reports To: Director, Student Legal Services

Position Summary: The Staff Attorney will be responsible for sharing the office’s client caseload with the Director and another staff attorney. This includes providing legal counsel to students, assisting them in resolving their disputes, referring them to other community resources where appropriate, and training them in life skills. In carrying out these duties, attention will be given not only to fulfilling the specific goals of the office but also to those of the Division of Student Affairs.

Terms: This is a 9 months of the year, 40 hour per week, at-will administrative professional staff attorney position that includes benefits, including 18 days of paid vacation time. The 3 months off are spread across University break times, including summer break, in a flexible manner that suits the needs of the office and accommodates all staff’s holiday and summer planning.

General Office Responsibilities:

Participate in overall office trainings and events
Provide assistance to student staff and front desk operations
Assist with the development and administration of policies and procedures relative to the office of Student Legal Services
Support the long-range goals and objectives of the office, the Division of Student Affairs and Colorado State University

Position Specific Responsibilities:

Provide individual legal counsel to students on a variety of legal issues common to a general law practice, including housing, consumer, bankruptcy, criminal, family law, business organization, and the drafting of simple wills and powers of attorney
Assist in the resolution of clients’ legal disputes through the drafting of letters and other necessary documents
Represent clients in court in a limited number of cases (SLS does not generally provide court representation—limited to cases with broad impact across the student body or special circumstances)
Educate students about their legal rights and responsibilities and train them in life skills during individual client meetings, as well as occasional presentations to student groups, such as residence hall audiences, Greek organizations, and academic classes
Effectively work with office staff, which includes student staff members

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctor degree, completed
Current active license to practice law in the state of Colorado
A minimum of five years of recent experience in the field of law as a practicing attorney, with at least three of those involving practice in Colorado
Experience advising clients on landlord-tenant issues
Experience with legal aid, public interest law, or constituencies who traditionally lack access to legal representation or counsel

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience advising clients on consumer and bankruptcy matters
Experience drafting simple wills
Experience advising on MIP, DUI, traffic charges and criminal matters
Demonstrated ability to relate effectively with college students
Ability to work independently as well as in a highly collaborative small team environment
Familiarity with local court practices and procedures
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to speak effectively to small and large groups
Sensitivity and respect for cultural, ethnic and individual differences, and a commitment to support the university’s priorities related to multiculturalism and diversity
Excellent organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines and provide follow up in a timely way
Demonstrated adherence to high standards of ethics and accuracy
Understanding of and desire to fill the role of adviser/educator who guides and empowers young adults (not looking for litigator role)
Demonstrated computer software skills, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Salary is $40,000 for position that is 100% time for 9 months out of the year. The anticipated starting date is mid-September, 2009. For full consideration, complete applications that thoroughly address the minimum and preferred qualifications listed above must be received by Friday, August 21, 2009 at 12:00 noon, MST. Complete applications must include a cover letter, a resume, and names, titles, addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three references, including the most current supervisor. Complete applications must be submitted electronically in one file formatted in MS Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) to: Valerie.McIntyre@colostate.edu.

For questions concerning the position, contact Jennifer Van Norman (970) 491-8051. For questions about the application process, visit our website-- sls.colostate.edu or contact Valerie McIntyre at (970) 491-1482.

Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history.

Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding affirmative action requirements in all programs. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity is located in 101 Student Services Building. In order to assist Colorado State University in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities, ethnic minorities, women and other protected class members are encouraged to apply and so identify themselves.

SLS Jobs