The Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi is Hawaiʻi’s oldest and largest non-profit public interest law firm with offices statewide. Through its dedicated staff, Legal Aid helps ensure justice and fairness for all by providing civil legal aid to the most vulnerable in our society.
Position Description
Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i (LASH) is seeking a Staff Attorney to provide disaster legal services related to the 2023 wildfires on Maui Island.
The Staff Attorney will work with the Disaster Legal Services project under the supervision of the Maui Managing Attorney. The Attorney will also coordinate and collaborate with other Legal Aid directors, staff, volunteers, and contractors to provide disaster legal services for Maui.
Primary duties are to implement Legal Aid's disaster legal services program for survivors of the Maui wildfires. The program will include coordinating and providing direct legal services, education and outreach; coordination with key national and local partners; providing outreach and training to key stakeholders about legal services to disaster victims; and overseeing the recruitment and training of statewide pro bono attorneys who can assist low-income and disadvantaged individuals in the event of a disaster. Additional duties also include disaster legal services resiliency planning and preparation.
Responsibilities - Services and Outreach areas will include:
Landlord tenant problems
Mortgage and homeownership issues
FEMA, SBA, and other public assistance financial benefits, including SNAP and Unemployment
Home repair contracts and property insurance claims
Price gouging, scams, or identity theft
Disability-related access to federal, state, and local disaster programs
Vital documents replacement
The Staff Attorney will plan and participate in community engagement and partnership building, staffing “Disaster Recovery Centers” and community hubs, development of educational and self-help materials, outreach, and day–to–day oversight of attorney and non-attorney staff. The Staff attorney may also assist in supervising law students and pro bono volunteers.
Coordination with key national and local partners includes ongoing meetings with ABA and FEMA, LASH's ongoing monthly legal service provider meetings, and participating in disaster resiliency planning initiatives.
Requirements
Members in good standing of the Bar of the State of Hawaii preferred. Applications from highly qualified individuals licensed to practice in another state and eligible to practice in Hawaii under Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct rule 1.16 will be considered.
Located on Maui or willing to relocate to Maui.
Demonstrable commitment to social justice and experience working with houseless, disabled or and/or low-income population strongly preferred.
Desire to develop litigation or administrative agency advocacy skills required.
Able to work collaboratively and maintain good working relationships with diverse team of co-workers.
Prior disaster-related experience preferred
Culturally sensitive and able to work well with diverse, low-income populations.
Experience working with or interacting with individuals with physical and/or psychological disabilities is a plus.
Experience organizing programs and working with community partners is a plus
Organizational skills to manage a busy practice, meet deadlines, and perform multiple tasks with attention to detail.
Strong personal work ethic and ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.
Able to work under pressure in an empathetic and professional manner.
Basic computer skills required. Familiarity with Microsoft Office program (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams), strongly preferred.
Fluency in a language spoken by recent immigrants, such as Spanish, Ilokano, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chuukese, Tongan, or Marshallese is desired although not a requirement.
Compensation:
Compensation: $58,472 to $70,121 commensurate with experience and qualifications. Our generous benefits package is designed to speak to employees’ needs and to support and enhance your lifestyle with an emphasis on quality of life and work-life balance.
Benefits include:
$150/month student loan repayment.
Two medical insurance providers offering 4 different plans to select from and free single coverage.
Dental insurance.
401K plan with employer matching.
Life Insurance for employees and dependents.
Free long-term care and long-term disability insurance.
Parental leave plan after one year of employment with 8 weeks of fully paid leave.
Free employee assistance plan - up to 6 sessions per year also available for household members.
Paid time off includes 21 days of vacation, 12 sick days, one personal day and 14 paid holidays annually.
Position is currently hybrid; remote and in-office work based on a weekly rotation schedule. Hybrid working condition is subject to change.
To apply, send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to jobs@legalaidhawaii.org. The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Employer. More information about Legal Aid can be found at www.legalaidhawaii.org
This job posting does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The position requirements, duties, and offered benefits are subject to change.
