Disaster Legal Fellow

 INDIANA LEGAL SERVICES, INC.
Job Announcement
DISASTER LEGAL FELLOW
INDIANAPOLIS OR BLOOMINGTON

AGENCY DESCRIPTION: Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a statewide, not-for-profit law firm 
that provides free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through 8 regional offices. ILS is funded 
by the Legal Services Corporation, Indiana Civil Legal Aid Fund, Indiana Bar Foundation, United 
Ways, Area Agencies on Aging, and approximately 60 other funding sources. 

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER:
ILS is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and 
promote without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, 
national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any category protected by law.

LOCATION: This position is located in the Indianapolis or Bloomington office of Indiana Legal 
Services. 

JOB SUMMARY: The disaster legal fellow will work collaboratively to establish a statewide disaster
and emergency legal response plan and build networks with disaster response agencies and 
organizations in partnership with a disaster legal fellow hosted by another legal service provider (Pro 
Bono Indiana). Both of these positions are funded by the Indiana Bar Foundation. The ILS legal fellow 
will also work to integrate Indiana’s network of legal aid organizations into the existing network of 
disaster response efforts and will represent clients in matters including housing, foreclosure, consumer, 
and public benefits matters, which are among the types of cases that arise from disasters and 
emergencies. This is a two-year fellowship. The fellow will work under the supervision of the Managing 
Attorney of the office for which they are assigned. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Lead efforts to create a statewide legal response plan for disasters, emergencies, and 
other crises including research on other states’ plans and relevant academic literature
and meeting with disaster and emergency response agencies, legal aid providers and 
other relevant entities. The fellow will be the primary drafter of the state legal response 
plan and will present the plan at a future Indiana Civil Legal Aid Conference.
• Work with disaster preparedness agencies and other legal partners to embed legal 
response as part of Indiana’s statewide disaster response planning and ensure an 
appropriate legal component in disaster and emergency response.
• Meet with disaster and emergency responders across the state to foster knowledge of 
legal response to disasters and emergencies and build relationships with ILS.
• Collaborate on the development of training materials for legal aid staff and pro bono 
volunteers and systems for recruitment and engagement of volunteers.
• Build partnerships with state and local bar associations, pro bono attorneys and law 
firms to marshal and prepare resources for disaster and emergency response.
• Assist with design and deployment of a justice bus to be used by Pro Bono Indiana to 
deliver mobile legal services and outreach to communities affected by disasters and 
emergencies.
• Provide legal advice and representation to clients facing the types of legal problems that 
arise in response to disasters and emergencies including housing, foreclosure, consumer 
law, and public benefits.
• Comply with all LSC and grant requirements and all ILS policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS: 
• Dedicated to the mission of Indiana Legal Services.
• Licensed to practice law in Indiana within the last 3 years or less or ability to be licensed 
promptly is required. 
• Background, experience, or interest in disaster preparedness or disaster response is preferred.
• Experience with significant writing projects and planning are preferred.
• Ability to travel as needed to perform job responsibilities both in-state and out-of-state.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

COMPENSATION: The starting salary for the position is $57,425 with a range up to a maximum of 
$75,535 depending on experience. ILS offers an excellent fringe benefits package including health 
insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx), disability insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and a flex 
benefit plan. The fellow will be offered leadership development opportunities, travel to relevant national 
conferences, travel to investigate other states’ disaster and emergency planning, and participation in the 
Indiana Coalition for Court Access.

TO APPLY: Visit https://www.indianalegalservices.org/careers/ to apply online. Applicants should 
submit a letter explaining your interest and experience, your resume, and a list of professional references 
with contact information.