POSITION TITLE: Staff Attorney – Full-time
PROGRAM: Elder Law Program and Manufactured Housing
LOCATION: Wilmington, Dover, or Georgetown, Delaware
REPORTS TO: Elder Law Program Supervising and/or Managing Attorney
SALARY: Commensurate with experience and CLASI’s collective bargaining agreement; excellent benefits. (Details on salary scale and benefits package can be found here.)
DATE OF POSTING: March 9, 2026
CONTEXT OF POSITION: Community Legal Aid Society Inc. (“CLASI”) (Delaware) is a statewide, non-LSC funded nonprofit law firm. CLASI works to achieve equal justice through creative and persistent civil legal advocacy that protects Delawareans’ most fundamental rights and secures access to basic needs. CLASI is also Delaware’s designated Protection and Advocacy agency for individuals with disabilities. CLASI has three offices across the state, in Wilmington, Dover, and Georgetown.
The successful candidate for the Elder Law Program/Manufactured Housing Staff Attorney position will develop a practice that focuses on the following:
1) The traditional priorities of the Elder Law Program that focus on preserving income, resources, and self-determination for vulnerable seniors (age 60 and older);
2) The VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant, which focuses on the civil legal needs of victims of crime who are elderly; and
3) Advocacy on behalf of manufactured homeowners residing in manufactured home communities with regard to disputes with community owners.
The attorney can be based in any of CLASI’s three offices (Wilmington, Dover, or Georgetown) but will have responsibilities and cases statewide. The attorney will supervise paralegals and work with the rest of the Elder Law Program team.
Minimum Knowledge and Qualifications
The attorney must:
-have a commitment to social and economic justice, as well as a desire to work directly with low-income individuals, especially elder clients;
-have excellent verbal, written communication, analytical, and counseling skills;
-be able to exhibit patience, sensitivity, and respect when dealing with clients, the public, and CLASI staff;
-be able to conduct small and large group presentations;
-have excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills;
-have computer literacy;
-be a team player;
-have their own transportation and be willing to travel throughout the state on a regular basis (travel expenses reimbursed).
Bilingual language skills a plus, but not required.
Education and Experience
Delaware Bar admission is preferred. If the applicant is not a member of the Delaware Bar, admission to the Bar of another state is preferred. If the applicant is not a member of the Delaware Bar, applicant must be willing to sit for the next scheduled Delaware Bar Exam. Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and marginalized populations strongly preferred. Litigation experience is preferred.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
-Provide direct services to clients in Elder Law Program (ELP) in accordance with ELP priorities and grant requirements relating to victims of crime. Depending upon program needs, this position may include work with elder clients who are victims of crime and manufactured housing homeowner representation for both seniors and younger homeowners.
-Provide representation and advocacy on systemic issues identified by CLASI relating to elder clients. Advocacy may include litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, serving on advisory groups or organizations, etc.
-Co-counsel with other legal aid providers or private attorneys in cases in areas of specialization.
-Maintain a thorough knowledge of relevant law. Keep abreast of developments in the law.
-Maintain contacts with the most likely referral sources in Delaware.
-Maintain a collaborative and productive relationship with partner organizations includingthe Delaware Manufactured Homeowners Association (DMHOA) and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD).
-Supervise paralegals.
-Conduct community education programs.
-Participate in appropriate training.
-Produce and distribute educational materials.
-Assist with the preparation and presentation of data and advocacy reports for funding sources.
-Assist with other CLASI programs and events as assigned.
-Perform any other reasonable duties as directed.
Salary and Benefits
CLASI is a unionized program with staff attorneys and non-lawyer advocates represented by a chapter of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW). Salary is based upon a negotiated pay scale with starting salary for a new attorney set at $80,574/per year and approximately $108,775 for an attorney with 10 years credited experience.
CLASI offers a generous contribution to retirement (up to 10% employer contribution to 403(b) plan), full health benefits for employee and family members, and liberal leave policies including 12 weeks paid parental leave. We also provide 10 weeks paid bar leave for those who need to sit for the Delaware Bar exam and cover the costs of bar preparation including a bar review course. Learn more about CLASI’s salary scale and benefits package here.
CLASI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all laws governing fair hiring practices. We welcome applications from interested candidates of all backgrounds.
TO APPLY: Email resume and cover letter to John S. Whitelaw, Advocacy Director (jwhitelaw@declasi.org) for consideration for this position. Applicants with fewer than 10 years of experience, please include references, a writing sample and transcript from law school.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER