CCLS Staff Attorney - Legal Advice Line

Central California Legal Services, Inc.•Fresno, CA

About The Position

CCLS seeks a staff attorney to join the Legal Advice Line (LAL) intake team. LAL allows individuals and groups in Central California to apply for and, if determined eligible, to receive legal advice regarding a wide range of legal issues. This opportunity would be excellent for an entry level staff attorney to gain general knowledge of several areas of law, in addition to gaining experience with intake processes and accompanying regulations common to non-profit and legal service offices. In-person work is preferred for this role, but CCLS will consider remote work, depending on experience. Under the supervision of the LAL Directing Attorney, the staff attorney will work with the team to efficiently deliver high-quality legal information, advice, and referrals for civil legal issues in the areas of housing, immigration, senior citizen support, public benefits, health, consumer, basic estate planning, and family security.

Requirements

Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California
All levels of experience are welcome to apply
Ability to work under pressure and deal with stress while maintaining a professional and appropriate manner with callers and staff
Ability to work quickly but accurately, multi-task, and meet short deadlines
Ability to work both independently and cooperatively in a team environment; maintain a positive working relationship with team and other staff members
Ability to interact with individuals and groups in a professional, courteous, and culturally competent manner.
Ability to quickly learn, obtain and maintain a detailed understanding of substantive law areas addressed by the Legal Advice Line
Ability to obtain and maintain a detailed understanding of, and ensure compliance with, grantor requirements and CCLS policy and practices
Ability to speak on the phone and take consecutive calls for up to two hours at a time without a break, multiple times per day; applicant must speak clearly and effectively, and be courteous with individuals seeking assistance in person and over the phone
Ability to be punctual and reliable in attending work and keeping work commitments
Competency/experience with PC systems and standard software (Microsoft Office, Access, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint; ability to gain expertise in the current case file management system and Zoom call center platform
Reliable transportation, a valid CA drivers’ license with appropriate car insurance
Commitment to CCLS’ mission and core values.

Nice To Haves

Prior legal aid experience and/or a demonstrated commitment to access to justice for underserved communities is preferred
Bilingual ability in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the CCLS service area is highly preferred

Responsibilities

Responsible for effectively and efficiently answering questions from staff and confirming that legal advice provided by LAL staff is accurate and appropriate
Assists in monitoring the LAL call flow and performance, call data reports, and the status of cases sent for follow-up
Reviews LAL files for transfer and closing
Reviews and revises advocate closing letters to ensure compliance with legal standards and the timely closure of LAL files
Conducts initial applicant screening, performs conflict checks, and determines eligibility for services
Ensures that LAL is providing appropriate referrals to applicants that are determined to be non-eligible
Maintains electronic client case files, conveys legal advice and information consistent with established guidelines
Assists the LAL Directing Attorney in research of complex legal issues and writes internal memorandums on their interpretation and provides guidance on those legal issues
Participates in organizational projects such as developing and conducting client surveys to improve delivery of client services
Participates in weekly LAL meetings for case review and substantive training
Organizes and mails appropriate correspondence and literature to clients, as needed
Continuously improves their knowledge and ability to provide efficient, high-quality legal assistance
Engages in community outreach as directed and as needed
Performs other duties as assigned.