Family Law: Mentoring Attorney or LLP

Family Law Mentoring Attorney or LLP

Find-a-Lawyer: 4th JD

Description

The Justice Center (TJC) is a nonprofit providing free and reduced-cost legal representation and free legal advice and resources to increase and promote access to justice in Colorado.

The Justice Center team is seeking an experienced Colorado Family Law Attorney or LLP to mentor and support volunteer attorneys and LLPs providing pro bono legal services.

The primary purpose of this position is to expand TJC's capacity to place family law cases by providing volunteers with the substantive knowledge, practical guidance, resources, and ongoing support they need to confidently accept pro bono matters. This is not a traditional staff attorney position.

Responsibilities

The Family Law Mentoring Attorney or LLP has the following responsibilities and duties:
1. Provide Limited Direct Legal Services

• Participate in the weekly remote Call-a-Lawyer project
• Participate in the daily remote Email-a-Lawyer project
• Participate in the in person Meet-a-Lawyer project
  
• Provide direct legal representation when necessary or on an emergency basis, including temporary protection orders
• Maintain sufficient involvement in family law practice to remain familiar with current Colorado law, procedures, and local practices

2. Support Case Placement

• Review approved family law matters before placement
• Assess case complexity and level of experience appropriate for each matter
• Work with TJC staff to identify appropriate volunteer attorneys or LLPs
• Speak with prospective volunteers when mentoring support may help them feel comfortable accepting a case
• Remain available to volunteers when mentoring support is required

3. Develop Volunteer Capacity

• Recruit and retain volunteer attorneys and LLPs
• Identify barriers preventing legal professionals form accepting pro bono family law cases of indigent and close to indigent clients
• Develop pathways for attorneys and LLPs with limited family law experience to begin providing pro bono services
• Encourage experienced attorneys and LLPs to serve as peer mentors
• Build a sustainable network of family law volunteers

4. Provide Training and Resources

• Develop and deliver CLE and practical training for volunteers
• Create and maintain family law templates, checklists, sample pleadings, practice guides, and other resources to aid volunteers
• Identify recurring volunteer questions and develop resources or training to address them
• Develop one video per month on family law matters

5. Mentor Volunteers

• Serve as the primary family law mentor for attorneys and LLPs volunteering through TJC
• Provide initial assessment of the course of action required
• Support volunteers by answering case-specific substantive and procedural guidance throughout representation
• Assist with case strategy, court procedures, deadlines, hearing preparation, and review of case documents
• Help volunteers identify and navigate unfamiliar areas of Colorado family law

6. Other Duties

• Provide weekly written reports to the Program Manager and monthly oral reports to the staff with statistics and a SWOT analysis
• Support TJC activities including fundraisers, events and other

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following skills, education, and experience:

• Active Colorado license in good standing as an attorney or LLP
• Substancial experience in Colorado family law
• Strong knowledge of Colorado family law practice and procedure
• Ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and practically
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Excellent, expedient, and transparent communication skills
• Ability to mentor attorneys and LLPs with different levels of family law experience
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working with volunteers
  
• Commitment to increasing and promoting access to justice
• Experience mentoring, supervising, teaching, or training legal professionals preferred
• Spanish proficiency preferred

Compensation

• This is a grant-funded position: $70,000 annually

Schedule

• Full-time
• Hybrid
• In person availability in the 4th Judicial District is a must for meetings, Meet-a-Lawyer clinics, court observations and other program needs

Language

• English required
• Spanish preferred

Licensure

• Active Colorado license in good standing as an attorney or LLP