Attorney

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), a non-profit regional law firm that provides high-quality legal assistance to low-income people and groups in western Ohio, seeks a resourceful, culturally competent attorney for its Toledo office.

The Attorney will work with ABLE’s Housing and Community Economic Development Practice Group and ABLE’s Meaningful and Appropriate Education Practice Group. The Attorney will expand ABLE’s community economic development capacity in the Toledo area and provide legal representation to children and parents in education cases.

The Attorney will listen to, be part of and empower Toledo residents, cooperative and social enterprise incubators, and neighborhoods; advocate and provide support for community development and entrepreneurship, offering transactional legal services and legal technical assistance to low-income and minority small business owners; stabilize property values, increase economic resources, and improve the quality of life in low-income communities; and provide other legal assistance to meet basic needs of housing and financial security. ABLE engages in community lawyering to ensure that our legal work not only aligns with community needs, but that it supports initiatives from and is led by the impacted community.

The Attorney will also advocate for appropriate and meaningful educational opportunities for children in poverty. Past work has focused on discipline practices and disrupting the school to prison pipeline, particularly for youth of color who are disproportionately impacted by these policies; appropriate and inclusive services for children with disabilities; and language access and English Learner education. The Attorney will be expected to work closely with community and parent groups, handle administrative complaints and litigation, and engage in policy advocacy.

The Attorney must have excellent interpersonal skills and be experienced in working in collaborative environments. Membership in Ohio Bar is required. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of legal experience (will consider attorneys with 2-3 years of experience), familiarity with community lawyering, understand the range of legal options to advocate for people living in a disenfranchised community, and possess excellent legal and communication skills. Ability to relate well with, respect, connect and develop rapport with minority clients and community groups required. Legal experience in education law, business law, a transactional practice, civil rights, or poverty law in general is helpful. Competitive salary based on relevant experience; comprehensive fringe benefits, including loan repayment assistance.

To Apply: Submit resume, cover letter, and writing sample at https://www.ablelaw.org/careers-with-able/. Position will remain open until filled.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and places a high value on diversity in our workplace, including diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical ability. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals and we encourage applications from individuals traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at [email protected].