Widener University is currently seeking a Staff Attorney for its Philadelphia site of the Health, Education, and Legal Assistance Project: A Medical-Legal Partnership at Delaware Law School (HELP: MLP). This hybrid position requires working remotely and in the West Philadelphia office and reports to the Director and Managing Attorney. The Staff Attorney will provide civil legal assistance to low-income families in maternal and child health programs and coordinate direct legal services, training, and systemic advocacy.
HELP: MLP offers legal services during pregnancy and early childhood to support families and reduce health inequities. The Staff Attorney works with home-visiting programs such as Nurse‑Family Partnership and Healthy Start, screening for social determinants of health and providing preventive legal assistance.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide direct legal services to clients, including litigation in landlord/tenant, public benefits, and other matters.
- Develop and deliver training for public health and community partners.
- Produce educational materials for partners and clients, including fact sheets, checklists, and handouts.
- Manage client information using electronic case management systems.
- Conduct legal research and writing.
- Engage in systemic advocacy to advance policy goals and improve community-wide health.
- Participate in local, state, and national coalitions and workgroups.
- Support development of grant applications, reports, newsletters, articles, and other publications.
- Travel locally as needed for client meetings and related activities.
- Stay up to date on relevant legal principles and attend training conferences as required.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide supervision and mentorship to law students as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar, or eligibility to take and pass the bar exam.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
- Proficiency in using technology for case management.
- Experience contributing to grant applications, reports, newsletters, and other publications.
- Willingness to travel within the Philadelphia area.
- Commitment to improving the lives of low‑income families.
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary setting with public health partners.
- Flexibility to work across HELP: MLP areas of practice as priorities shift.
Preferred Qualifications
- Fluency in Spanish.
- At least 3 years of legal services in public benefits, housing law, or family law.
- Lived experience similar to the client population.
- Familiarity with Philadelphia legal networks and community resources.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS
- This hybrid position involves remote and on‑site work in West Philadelphia.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
EOE M/F/V/D
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