CONSUMER LAW SUPERVISING ATTORNEY/TAX PROJECT QUALIFIED TAX EXPERT

Summary:

603 Legal Aid (603LA) has an opening for a Supervising Attorney who is committed to providing high quality legal advice and brief services to clients eligible for 603LA’s services as part of a forthcoming Consumer Law Unit which also will house our Low-Income Tax Project (LITP). As a dual role, this position will work with people facing challenges related to consumer law issues (e.g. debt collection, bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosure) as well as serve as the LITP Qualified Tax Expert (QTE) and be responsible for the operation of the LITP, handling work directly as well as supervising a paralegal/LITP Clinic Director, a 603LA Outreach Coordinator, and one or more interns. The Supervising Attorney will also assist in the drafting and collection and management of data for grant reporting, as well as statewide planning and project evaluation purposes.

The LITP is one of dozens of low-income taxpayer clinics (LITCs) across the country, all administered by the Taxpayer Advocate Service through its LITC Program Office and largely funded by the federal LITC grant. As part of this program, the three-part mission of the tax project is to (1) represent low-income people in controversies with the IRS, (2) educate people with limited English proficiency (LEP) about their rights and responsibilities under the Internal Revenue Code, and (3) advocate for systemic improvements in our federal tax system. The Tax Project QTE will work toward ensuring this mission is fulfilled. For more information about the LITC Program, please see https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5066.pdf. During 2024, the LITP at 603LA will be transitioning from a full representation to a referral-only model.

The Consumer Law Unit is an emerging practice area at 603LA that is critically needed by consumers across the state. 603LA has applied for grant funding to launch this initiative in Summer 2024 which is contingent on the receipt of sufficient funding.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Consumer Law Supervising Attorney

Advocacy

• Identify and implement the most appropriate strategies for meeting eligible client consumer needs across the state;

• Provide advice and counsel and limited scope brief services to clients eligible for 603LA’s services;

• Collaborate with others to assess client needs, identify relevant services, and help clients resolve their legal issues in an effort to provide the highest level of legal service to the client in a comprehensive and holistic manner;

Program Development and Evaluation

• Oversee accurate case management and grant reporting requirements;

• Collect and manage data for grant, statewide planning, and project evaluation purposes;

Referrals and Community Relationships

• Collaborate and coordinate with other 603LA staff and community partners to assure effective referrals and holistic service delivery;

• Supervise and conduct community outreach, education, and training as needed;

• Develop relationships and engage in collaborations with a range of public and private community partners, including governmental agencies, courts, and community-based organizations, to ensure integrative services and address systemic barriers facing our client community; and

Professional Responsibility

• Engage in ongoing professional development and maintain substantive understanding of issues impacting 603LA clients.

Tax Project QTE

Direct Responsibilities

• Represent clients in federal tax matters;

• Create and update educational tax materials;

• Advocate for systemic improvement of the federal tax system;

• Give presentations to volunteers on tax practice and procedures affecting low-income people;

• Supervise the Consumer Paralegal/Tax Project Clinic Director, 603LA Outreach Coordinator, and one or more interns yearly;

• Develop and implement LITP referral-only model to launch by 2025;

• Coordinate referrals to pro bono volunteers;

• Keep current on relevant tax law changes;

• Participate in LITC network meetings;

• Attend the yearly LITC grantee conference;

• Create and Review required LITC grant applications and reports;

• Serve as primary contact for the LITC Program Office and the Local Taxpayer Advocate Office;

• Respond promptly to LITC Program Office inquiries; and

• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned or required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Maintain and update the Tax Project’s databases and case management systems;

• Teach the basics of the American tax system to low-income and LEP students;

• Maintain and grow the tax project’s network of community partners;

• Give presentations to community partners on tax topics affecting low-income people;

• Attend outreach and networking events;

• Maintain and grow the tax project’s volunteer panel;

• Refer client cases to volunteers or to community partners, as appropriate;

• Prepare required LITC grant applications and reports; and

• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills;

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with:

• Low-income clients in diverse and challenging environments

• Tax professionals in private practice

• IRS employees and IRS counsel

• Social service providers

• Colleagues

• Outstanding organizational skills;

• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced work environment;

• Strong client-first work ethic;

• Thorough knowledge of office operations as they apply to applicant screening and the provision of legal assistance;

• Attention to detail;

• Ability to manage simultaneous and tight deadlines;

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;

• Strong interest in community engagement;

• Ability to apply creative approaches to problem-solving;

• Cultural literacy in a wide variety of low-income and marginalized populations;

• High level of proficiency using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and database programs, as well as an ability to quickly learn new systems;

• Professional demeanor in interactions with clients, co-workers, supervisors, and colleagues in the broader legal community;

• Collegial and collaborative approach to the delivery of legal services in New Hampshire;

• Possess a strong interest in community empowerment;

• Fluency or proficiency in another language prevalent in 603LA’s client community (preferred); and

• Reliable transportation due to occasional in-state travel.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• J.D. degree;

• Sufficient consumer and/or tax law expertise to oversee technical, substantive, and procedural consumer/tax matters for 603LA clients;

• 3-4 years of professional experience representing clients in consumer/federal tax matters (preferred); and

• Commitment to and interest in expanding knowledge about access to justice and poverty.

Salary/Benefits:

This position is full-time (37.5 hours weekly) and considered exempt for the purpose of federal wage/hour law. Salary will depend on experience, with a benefits package that includes health insurance, life and disability insurance, a 403(b)-retirement program, and generous paid time off.

Application Process:

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to careers@603legalaid.org. All applications received by May 13, 2024, will be considered. We expect to conduct interviews shortly after this date. If reasonable accommodation in the application process is required, please notify us at careers@603legalaid.org.

603 Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse staff that reflects the communities of low-income and older (age 60 plus) people that we work alongside, and we value equity and inclusion in our workplace. 603 Legal Aid actively seeks applications from Black people, Indigenous people, People of Color, people of diverse national origin, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, people who have lived experience with poverty, and other people belonging to communities that have historically experienced injustice.