Staff Attorney

Family Defense Program Staff Attorney

Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley | Roanoke, VA | salary range $65,000-$85,000 (DOE) plus substantial benefits package

Be part of Virginia’s first multidisciplinary family defense practice.

The Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley is launching a publicly funded Family Defense Pilot Program to defend parents in the child welfare system, keep families together, and support reunification.

As our inaugural Family Defense Staff Attorney, you’ll work side by side with an experienced Supervising Attorney, a social worker, and a peer parent advocate to give parents zealous, client-directed representation, and help shape a model for the whole state.

What you’ll do

• Represent parents in dependency matters, including abuse and neglect cases, permanency hearings, termination of parental rights, and appeals
• Handle discovery, motions practice, legal research, and drafting
• Build strategy with your team that combines advice, litigation, access to services and community resources, and peer support
• Help develop the program’s practices and advocate for systemic improvements with courts, agencies, and community partners

What you bring

• J.D. and Virginia State Bar membership (or eligibility to obtain a Legal Aid Counsel Certificate under Rule 1A:9)
• Litigation or advocacy experience, with strong writing, research, negotiation, and oral argument skills
• A client-centered, trauma-informed approach and a commitment to serving low-income families and advancing equity
• Comfort with a substantial caseload and an early-stage, evolving program

Bonus points

• Experience with the multidisciplinary family defense model, child welfare or juvenile court, or legal aid and public interest work
• Knowledge of Virginia child welfare law

What we offer

• Health insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• State and local bar association and relevant professional organization dues, travel and expenses for CLE and other relevant trainings
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Onsite role with occasional remote flexibility. Regular local travel to courts and community sites; some evening hours possible.

The Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds.

Please apply with resume and cover letter.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person