Associate Attorney

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About Indiana Disability Rights (IDR):

Indiana Disability Rights (IDR) is the designated protection and advocacy organization for the State of Indiana. We provide direct legal advocacy to people with disabilities across the state, covering a wide range of civil rights including access to education, health care, employment, community living, public access, self-determination, and freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Role Overview:

The Associate Attorney is a generalist position designed to expose newer attorneys to a wide variety of legal subjects, all in support of the agency's mission. Associate Attorneys handle real and interesting cases from day one, with the supportive mentoring and leadership of the Legal Director and four Senior Attorneys who serve as subject-matter experts in Civil Rights, Health Care, Employment and Vocational Rehabilitation, and Education and Self-Determination.

Over time, the Associate Attorney develops subject-matter expertise in one or more practice areas while maintaining the breadth of experience that defines the role. This is mission-driven legal work that combines the meaningful representation of people whose rights have been violated with genuine opportunities for professional growth, and it is well suited to attorneys who want their daily work to matter.

Recent law school graduates and attorneys early in their careers are encouraged to apply.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 with 1-4 years of experience, or $85,020.00 with 5+ years of experience while admitted to a state bar association but may be greater commensurate with education or work experience.

Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Carries an active caseload of matters assigned by the Legal Director, drawn from across the agency's four practice areas, with assignments based on caseload, geography, attorney development goals, and case complexity;
• Represents clients in state and federal court, in administrative proceedings, and in informal negotiations and mediations;
• Drafts and files pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents, with consultation and review from the Legal Director and the relevant Senior Attorney as appropriate;
• Performs legal research and drafts internal and external legal memoranda;
• Consults with the relevant Senior Attorney on subject-matter questions, case strategy, and substantive legal issues arising in assigned cases;
• Consults with the Legal Director on litigation decisions, settlement, case closure, and significant case developments;
• Works closely with advocacy staff assigned to support cases, providing direction on case-related advocacy work and coordinating client communications and case strategy;
• Participates in the weekly Case Review Committee as assigned and contributes to case selection discussions across the agency;
• Represents the agency in coalitions, work groups, and stakeholder meetings as assigned;
• Drafts publications, public-facing legal resources, and policy comments as assigned;
• Develops and presents training and community outreach materials as assigned;
• Engages with the Investigations Coordinator, Monitoring Coordinator, and Intake Coordinator on assigned matters that involve investigations, monitoring activities, or intake operations;
• Maintains contemporaneous time records, particularly for matters with potential attorneys' fees recovery;
• Maintains all case documentation in the agency's litigation management system in accordance with agency case management policy;
• Pursues professional development opportunities, including continuing legal education, training in new practice areas, and mentorship with the Senior Attorneys, to build subject-matter expertise over time.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is…