Staff Attorney – Statewide Position

Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP)
Portland, Maine

The Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to join our growing team and strengthen civil legal services across Maine. This is a statewide position with hybrid flexibility and some in-office requirements in Portland, depending on the candidate's location. The Staff Attorney will report directly to and work closely with the Executive Director.

The position closes January 4, 2025, with an anticipated start date of February 1, 2025.


About the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project

VLP is Maine’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to coordinating pro bono attorneys to provide free civil legal assistance to low-income Mainers. Through clinics, direct representation, community-based initiatives, and strategic partnerships, VLP advances access to justice in every region of the state. We are expanding our statewide capacity and developing innovative service models that increase access to underserved communities.

Position Overview

The Staff Attorney will play a central role in VLP’s statewide service delivery model by providing direct representation in court and at clinics, supporting pro bono attorney volunteers, and helping shape innovative strategies that expand access to justice. This attorney will also support new partnerships and clinic models, particularly in regions with limited attorney availability.

The successful candidate will bring strong litigation skills, experience in family law and other civil legal areas, a deep commitment to access to justice and public interest law, and the ability to engage and inspire volunteer attorneys. The capacity to build partnerships, support program development, and work collaboratively across teams is essential.

This is a full-time, exempt position.


Key Responsibilities

Direct Client Assistance & Representation
• Provide limited and full representation to clients in civil matters within VLP’s core practice areas.
• Conduct legal triage, case assessment, and case placement.
• Represent clients in court or administrative proceedings as needed.

Volunteer Attorney Support & Engagement
• Review and triage cases for legal sufficiency prior to volunteer assignment.
• Mentor, advise, and support volunteer attorneys throughout the lifecycle of cases.
• Devise innovative strategies to boost attorney engagement, strengthen volunteer retention, and align attorney interests with pro bono opportunities.
• Lead and organize CLE trainings, workshops, and volunteer development initiatives.

Program & Clinic Support
• Work closely with VLP justice coordinators to plan, staff, and support clinics statewide.
• Assist in developing and refining clinic models, including remote and itinerant offerings.
• Contribute legal expertise to emerging initiatives.

Partnership Development
• Forge and maintain partnerships with community service providers, courts, community groups, and statewide nonprofits.
• Support collaborative projects that expand the reach and impact of pro bono services.

Statewide Access & Community Engagement
• Travel as needed across Maine to support clinics, partnerships, and attorney engagement efforts.
• Assist with outreach efforts aimed at improving access to rural and underserved counties.

Internal Collaboration
• Work closely with the Executive Director on legal strategy, program design, and statewide access initiatives.

Qualifications

Required
• Admitted to practice law in Maine or eligible for admission and able to practice under Maine Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 11(c) while pursuing full licensure.
• Minimum of five years of relevant legal experience, including litigation experience.
• Strong understanding of public interest law principles and practices, with a demonstrated commitment to public interest work.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to inspire, support, and collaborate with pro bono attorneys.
• Strong partnership-building skills and ability to work effectively with VLP team members, legal service providers, courts, and community organizations.
• Ability to travel statewide as needed.
• Experience in civil legal services, pro bono coordination, and/or community-based legal advocacy.
• Familiarity with Maine courts and statewide civil legal aid ecosystem.

Work Environment & Location
• Hybrid role based in Maine with regular in-office presence in Portland, depending on location.
• Flexibility for remote work for research, case preparation, and administrative responsibilities.
• Travel statewide to support clinics, partnerships, and regional engagement.

Compensation & Benefits
• Salary range: $70,000–$80,000, commensurate with experience.
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance premiums for employees.
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
• Generous paid time off, including 5 weeks of PTO, 13 holidays, and two week-long closures.
• Supportive work culture centered on wellness, sustainability, and professional growth.
• Retirement benefits and optional insurance coverages.


To Apply
Please submit the following to Jessica Lovitz, Administrative Coordinator at jlovitz@vlp.org, with “Staff Attorney” in the subject line:
• Cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience
• Resume
• Contact information for three professional references

Applications received by January 4, 2026 will be given full consideration.

Intake Paralegal – Statewide Position 
 
Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) 
Portland, Maine 
 
The Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) seeks a part-time (24-30 hours/week) Intake Paralegal to join our growing team and strengthen civil legal services across Maine. This is a statewide position with hybrid flexibility and some in-office requirements in Portland, depending on the candidate's location. The Intake Paralegal will report directly to and work closely with the Community Volunteers and Intake Manager. 
 
The position closes February 16, 2026, with an anticipated start date no later than March 1, 2026. 
 
 
About the Volunteer Lawyers Project 
 
VLP is Maine’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to coordinating pro bono attorneys to provide free civil legal assistance to low-income Mainers. Through clinics, direct representation, community-based initiatives, and strategic partnerships, VLP advances access to justice in every region of the state. We are expanding our statewide capacity and developing innovative service models that increase access in underserved communities. 
 
Position Overview 
 
The Intake Paralegal will play an important role in VLP’s statewide service delivery model through direct contact with clients, support for non-attorney volunteers, and helping shape innovative strategies that expand access to justice. The paralegal will also provide support and coverage to staff throughout the state, particularly in rural areas of Maine. 
 
The successful candidate will bring strong client skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, a commitment to access to justice, and the ability to engage and inspire community volunteers and students. The capacity to do self-directed work and to collaborate as part of a team are essential. 
 
This is a part-time (24 or 30 hours a week), non-exempt position. 
 
 
Key Responsibilities 

Direct Client Intake and Documentation 

  • Process requests for legal assistance made through VLP’s online portal, phone lines, referrals, and in courthouse assistance programs. 

  • Conduct intake interviews with clients seeking access to VLP’s legal services, making reasoned determinations of potential clients’ qualifications for services and level of urgency. 

  • Review and triage intakes and perform initial eligibility screenings. 

  • Accurately and thoroughly document all client contact and case information in the LegalServer case management system. 

  • Provide referral information to ineligible applicants. 

  • Follow up with clients to gather documentation and information necessary for their case file. 

 

Community Volunteers Support and Engagement 

  • Mentor, advise and support community volunteers, including law students. 

  • Support community volunteer intake trainings. 

  • Support efforts to update and maintain intake training materials. 

 

Program Support 

  • Work closely with the VLP intake team to engage potential clients in person, online and over the phone in a timely manner. 

  • Participate in legal training and cross-training across VLP programs. 

  • Support efforts to create partnerships with social service agencies and community groups to develop and encourage warm referrals. 

 

Statewide Access and Community Engagement 

  • Travel as needed across Maine to support clinics and client engagement efforts. 

  • Assist with outreach efforts aimed at improving access in rural and underserved counties, and with underserved populations. 

 

Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s Degree

  • Minimum of 2 years relevant experience including direct work with clients from marginalized populations. 

  • Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed services and cultural humility. 

  • Ability to inspire and support community volunteers. 

  • Strong collaborative skills and ability to work effectively with VLP colleagues, service providers, courts and community organizations. 

  • Ability to travel statewide as needed. 

  • Preferred experience in non-profit community-based social or legal services. 

  • Preferred familiarity with Maine courts and statewide civil legal aid. 

 

Work Environment and Location 

  • Hybrid role based in Maine with regular office presence in Portland. 

  • Access to reliable high-speed internet in a confidential location is necessary for remote work. 

  • Potential for state-wide travel to support in person intakes and clinics. 

 

Compensation and Benefits 

  • Salary range: $30,000 - $35,000, commensurate with experience. 

  • 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance premiums for employees. 

  • Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). 

  • Generous paid time off, including 4 weeks of PTO, 13 holidays, and two week-long closures. 

  • Supportive work culture centered on wellness, sustainability, and professional growth. 

  • Retirement benefits and optional insurance coverages. 

 

To Apply 

Please submit the following to Jessica Lovitz, Administrative Coordinator at jlovitz@vlp.org with “Intake Paralegal” in the subject line: 
• Cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience 
• Resume 
• Contact information for three professional references. 
 
Applications received by February 16, 2026 will be given full consideration.