Description
Job Summary:
Legal Aid of Nebraska seeks a collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven attorney to serve as an Access and Pro Bono Staff Attorney. This position supports statewide efforts to expand access to justice through pro bono and private attorney involvement (PAI) initiatives, clinic-based legal services, centralized intake, and access-to-justice programming.
The primary focus of this position is the development, coordination, oversight, and expansion of Legal Aid’s Pro Bono and Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) initiatives statewide. The attorney is expected to devote a majority of their time — approximately 60% or more — to volunteer engagement, clinic coordination, case placement, attorney support, and development of volunteer-supported service delivery models.
Responsibilities include volunteer recruitment and support, legal oversight of clinic operations, quality assurance review, systems improvement, relationship-building with courts and community partners, direct client assistance, and development of innovative service delivery strategies that expand equitable access to justice for low-income Nebraskans.
The attorney will also work flexibly to support centralized intake operations and access-to-justice initiatives, including intake screening, providing advice and referrals, self-help services, clinics, legal document review, and limited-scope legal assistance, based on organizational priorities and client needs.
The ideal candidate is adaptable, organized, collaborative, and committed to expanding access to justice through both direct services and volunteer engagement.
Essential Functions
Pro Bono and Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) – Primary Responsibilities
Recruit, engage, train, and support pro bono and reduced-fee attorneys and legal volunteers statewide.
Coordinate pro bono placements, reduced-fee referrals, clinics, and volunteer-supported legal service events.
Develop and maintain relationships with law firms, bar associations, courts, law schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to expand volunteer participation and access-to-justice initiatives.
Develop volunteer training materials, legal resources, procedural guidance, and clinic support tools.
Provide legal and procedural support to volunteer attorneys participating in clinics and case placements.
Assist with development, implementation, and expansion of clinic-based legal service models throughout Nebraska.
Conduct legal review and quality assurance for volunteer-supported legal services, including review of pleadings, affidavits, filings, and standardized legal documents.
Assist with conflict-of-interest procedures, case review, and compliance protocols related to volunteer representation and clinic operations.
Track and report volunteer activities, case outcomes, and program metrics in compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) PAI requirements.
Support volunteer recognition, outreach, and relationship-building efforts.
Participate in outreach activities, trainings, presentations, and statewide efforts related to pro bono engagement and access to justice.
Provide legal assistance to clients through clinics, limited-scope representation, legal advice, referrals, volunteer-supported representation models, and other service delivery methods.
Access to Justice and Clinic Services
Assist with development, implementation, and operation of self-help services, legal clinics, forms, legal resources, and access-to-justice initiatives.
Provide legal oversight and quality assurance for clinic operations and assisted self-help services.
Develop and maintain clinic workflows, templates, procedures, and technology-assisted service models.
Participate in outreach, collaboration, and efforts to identify emerging legal needs and service opportunities.
Support collection and reporting of operational data and program outcomes related to clinics and self-help services.
Collaborate with courts, community organizations, and legal partners to support innovative service delivery initiatives.
Provide legal assistance to clients through clinics, self-help services, brief advice, legal information, document review, and limited-scope legal services.
Centralized Intake
Conduct legal screening, assessment, and triage through phone, online, and other intake systems as needed.
Provide legal advice, brief services, referrals, and limited-scope assistance when appropriate.
Evaluate applicants and identify appropriate service options, including self-help services, clinics, pro bono placement, referrals, or extended representation.
Support intake operations through quality assurance, workflow improvement, staff support, and compliance review.
Maintain knowledge of substantive legal issues affecting Legal Aid client communities.
Assist with compliance with Legal Aid policies, LSC regulations, and program requirements.
Collaboration and Program Development
Collaborate with courts, community organizations, legal partners, and internal teams to support statewide initiatives and coordinated service delivery.
Participate in trainings, outreach activities, grant-funded initiatives, and cross-unit collaboration efforts.
Assist with reports, grant-related documentation, and program development activities.
Support implementation of innovative and technology-assisted service delivery strategies.
Travel throughout Nebraska to support clinics, trainings, meetings, outreach events, and volunteer engagement activities.
Provide legal assistance to clients as part of collaborative initiatives, outreach activities, and emerging access-to-justice projects.
Requirements
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in Nebraska or eligible for admission.
Commitment to Legal Aid of Nebraska’s mission and serving low-income communities.
Strong legal research, writing, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, manage multiple responsibilities, and work collaboratively in fast-paced environments.
Ability to communicate effectively with clients, volunteers, courts, staff, and community partners.
Willingness to travel statewide, including occasional evening or weekend work.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in legal aid, public interest law, clinics, self-help services, or high-volume legal service environments.
Experience recruiting, training, or supporting volunteers or pro bono attorneys.
Experience coordinating clinics, volunteer programs, or community-based legal initiatives.
Experience providing legal advice, limited-scope representation, or reviewing legal documents and court filings.
Experience with legal operations, process improvement, or technology-assisted service delivery.
Familiarity with Nebraska courts and civil legal issues affecting low-income communities.
Bilingual abilities are valued.
Competencies
Commitment to access to justice and client-centered service.
Collaboration, adaptability, and innovation.
Strong communication, organization, and project management skills.
Relationship-building and volunteer engagement.
Problem-solving, professional judgment, and attention to detail.
Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, case management systems, and legal technology tools.
Work Environment and Schedule
This position may involve a combination of office-based work, remote work, travel, and participation in clinics and outreach events throughout Nebraska. Evening and occasional weekend work may be required.
Physical Requirements
General office working conditions.
Ability to travel throughout Nebraska in varied weather conditions.
Ability to lift and transport materials up to 20 pounds when necessary.
Other Duties
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of Legal Aid of Nebraska.