Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky, Inc. (ARDF or Appalred Legal Aid ), is recruiting for a staff attorney in its Barbourville, Hazard, Columbia and Jackson offices. 

Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky, Inc. (ARDF or Appalred Legal Aid ), is recruiting for a staff attorney in its offices in Barbourville, Hazard, and Jackson.

This well-established legal services program is in its 35^th year of serving low income clients and client groups in a 37-county area, which includes the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky and rolling hills of south central Kentucky.

Most of the office locations are in communities of 3,000 to 5,000 persons, except for Richmond and Somerset, which have populations of approximately 27,152 and 15,000 respectively.  All offices are up-to-date with computer technology and have excellent library facilities.  There are community colleges or four year institutions in all of the communities where vacancies are being filled.  All offices are also located within a short driving distance of outstanding mountains, lakes and streams for camping and outdoor activities.

Appalred Legal Aid staff has been involved in significant representation of clients and client groups leading to the liberalization of standards for black lung benefits; establishment of shelters for victims of spouse abuse; incorporation of and assistance to economic development groups; and development of due process procedures for utility cutoffs.  We have also served thousands of low-income clients in their day-to-day needs in the traditional areas of poverty law representation, such as housing, consumer matters, claims for public benefits, and domestic relations.

Despite funding cuts, our program continues to include a network of ten operating field offices, with a staff of approximately 32 attorneys, 3 paralegals, and supporting personnel.  Each branch office has excellent library facilities and the necessary equipment to permit the staff to function as a first-class law firm.  We have a very successful self-funded summer clerkship program.  Students from across the United States come to work in the ten different offices gaining invaluable experience.

The program is making a particular commitment to the hiring of women and minorities.  In addition to their representation efforts in other areas of poverty law, the efforts of women attorneys have been particularly significant in seeking solutions to the problems of spouse abuse, through representation and educational efforts.

Applicants should have a special desire to work in a rural area, and have a particular interest in the problems of Appalachia.  Applicants must be prepared to take the next Kentucky Bar examination for which they are eligible.  However, under a Kentucky rule of court, attorneys admitted to practice in another state may practice with a legal services program in Kentucky for eighteen months before being admitted to the Kentucky Bar.

Interested applicants should send a resume under a cover letter indicating the specific nature of the applicant’s interest in the position, and particularly in working in a rural area.  The applicant should also enclose a writing sample and list of references.  Selected applicants will be asked to visit the office.  For further information, interested applicants should call Cynthia Elliott at 1-800-556-3876 or 606-886-9876, ext, 147.

Apply To: 
Hon. Cynthia Elliott, Executive Director, Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky, Inc.
120 North Front Avenue, Prestonsburg, KY 41653-1221

Appalred Legal Aid is an equal opportunity employer.