Staff Attorney

POSITION: The Michigan Legal Help Program (MLH) is seeking a Staff Attorney to join its team of advocates. Staff attorneys are an integral part of MLH’s work to help self-represented litigants in Michigan better understand their rights and how to enforce those rights, as well as working to make the system more equitable for people facing legal issues without an attorney. This is a unique opportunity to use your JD to create high-impact tools and resources to help people better advocate for themselves in our civil justice system.

All MLH staff are based out of the Ypsilanti office with either a hybrid or 100% remote work schedule. Candidates must reside in Michigan.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: In 75% of civil cases in state court, at least one side does not have an attorney. The Michigan Legal Help Program (MLH) works to address this inequity by democratizing access to legal information and working to make the court process more accessible for people navigating legal issues without a lawyer. MLH operates the nationally-recognized Michigan Legal Help website, which is used by over 2 million people each year, and provides:

• Free, accessible legal information to people representing themselves in Michigan
• Automated tools to help people fill out court forms
• Step-by-step instructions that break down court rules to help people handle their legal problems from start to finish
• Personalized referral resources

MLH also provides technical assistance and program support to libraries, courts, and other community organizations that have programs to assist members of their community with their legal issues.

MLH is a program within Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal services to Michigan’s low-income residents, Michigan’s immigrant communities, and seniors, through several statewide programs. MSAS is administered by the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP), which provides access to the justice system for those who need it the most through civil legal aid offices and statewide advocacy programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Primary Staff Attorney responsibilities include:

• Develop new legal tools and content for MLH website: Each staff attorney is responsible for several substantive legal areas. They identify and prioritize legal needs in their content areas, and develop new legal resources for the site to address those needs. This includes writing articles, developing self-led interviews that help visitors fill out court forms, and drafting step-by-step instructions that walk visitors through the procedural steps in their case from start to finish.
• Maintain assigned content: Staff attorneys ensure that their content remains up to date.
• Participate in statewide policy work and justice community partnerships: Staff attorneys collaborate on national and statewide projects to make the legal system more just and accessible. This includes participating in State Court Administrative Office forms committees, State Bar committees, and Self-Represented Litigation Network work groups. MLH also plays an integral role in the Michigan Justice For All Commission.
• Assist Website Visitors on LiveHelp: LiveHelp is a live chat assistance program available to website visitors. Staff attorneys handle at least one 1.5-hour LiveHelp shift per week.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Michigan, qualified to be admitted by waiver, or able to take the next Michigan bar exam. Applicants must have:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills,
• A commitment to increasing access to justice for people without lawyers,
• The ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines, and take initiative in the development and completion of projects, and
• The ability to work successfully on teams

We value analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as a demonstrated commitment to serving people with low income and underserved populations through lived or learned experience. Experience with Michigan courts and court processes, whether as an individual navigating legal issues, an advocate, or a court employee, is also helpful. Applicants must be able to work with Microsoft Office and Google Suite and be comfortable learning new technology interfaces. Experience in housing and/or consumer law is preferred, but not required.