LGBTQIA2S+ ADVOCACY ATTORNEY

Children's Law Center of California•Monterey Park, CA

38d•$88,510 - $125,000

About The Position

CLC is seeking a passionate and experienced attorney to serve as a dedicated in-house expert on issues impacting youth LGBTQIA2S+ impacted by the child welfare system. The LGBTQIA2S+ Advocacy Attorney will provide direct legal support to LGBTQIA2S+ clients, lead policy engagement efforts, and coordinate comprehensive staff training to promote affirming care and advocacy. This new role will significantly expand CLC’s capacity to meet the unique needs of LGBTQIA2S+ foster youth. This is a full-time, 18-month contract position. There is a possibility of extending the contract beyond 18 months contingent on funding as this is a grant-funded position. If the contract is not extended, the attorney can return to their current position, if they remain in good standing Your Impact on the Mission – Excellence in Advocacy The primary duties of the LGBTQIA2S+ Advocacy Attorney include, but are not limited to: Direct Client Support Provide consultation-based legal support for LGBTQIA2S+ clients, including name and gender changes, placement with affirming caregivers, and access to gender-affirming healthcare. Serve as a resource for case-carrying attorneys, offering strategic guidance and support in advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ clients; act as internal LGBTQIA2S+ Committee lead. Engage/relationship build with community-based organizations such as Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, Penny Lane, Transforming Family, and more. Create and maintain a resource guide of affirming placements, third spaces, and services for LGBTQIA2S+-youth. Play a key role in the formation of a pilot project in partnership with Family Builders, which will focus on acceptance as an intervention to assist families who are struggling with the sexual orientation and/or gender identify/expression of their child/family member. Host regular office hours for drop-in consultations and track case activities and outcomes. Policy Engagement Monitor and analyze federal, state, and local laws and policies impacting LGBTQIA2S+-foster youth. In collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Committee and Policy Team, issue guidance and recommendations to CLC leadership and staff in response to policy changes. Participate in workgroups and collaborate with field experts and policymakers to advocate for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and inform organizational strategies. Staff Training In collaboration with the Training Team and outside consultants, design and conduct a minimum of 3–4 organization-wide trainings on topics such as trauma-informed conversations, gender identity, affirming healthcare, family acceptance, and permanence. Partner with field experts to co-develop training materials, including the use of the “Let’s Talk About You” toolkit. Develop and administer pre- and post-training surveys to assess staff learning and inform future training needs. Explore best practices for improved data tracking of client-reported sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in CLC’s case management system. Program Evaluation & Sustainability Collaborate with UCLA Pritzker Center to develop metrics and evaluate program impact. Ensure sustainability of program deliverables, including recorded trainings and living documents. Contribute to long-term organizational change through integration of LGBTQIA2S+-focused practices and resources.

Requirements

Candidate must be a current Attorney in good standing, ideally with a minimum of 2 years of Dependency experience.
Experience working with children & youth in diverse communities.
Excellent time management skills, accountability, problem solving, principled decision-making, and critical thinking ability.
Strong understanding of federal, state and local policies affecting LGBTQIA2S+ foster youth.
Ability to work effectively with internal teams and field experts to create high-quality training materials and toolkits.
Proven ability to engage with and support LGBTQIA2S+ youth with sensitivity, cultural humility and trauma-informed practice.
Possess the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct to maintain effective relationships with attorneys, multidisciplinary staff, management team, service providers, advocacy groups, justice partners and community members.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, families, or communities strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide consultation-based legal support for LGBTQIA2S+ clients, including name and gender changes, placement with affirming caregivers, and access to gender-affirming healthcare.
Serve as a resource for case-carrying attorneys, offering strategic guidance and support in advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ clients; act as internal LGBTQIA2S+ Committee lead.
Engage/relationship build with community-based organizations such as Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, Penny Lane, Transforming Family, and more.
Create and maintain a resource guide of affirming placements, third spaces, and services for LGBTQIA2S+-youth.
Play a key role in the formation of a pilot project in partnership with Family Builders, which will focus on acceptance as an intervention to assist families who are struggling with the sexual orientation and/or gender identify/expression of their child/family member.
Host regular office hours for drop-in consultations and track case activities and outcomes.
Monitor and analyze federal, state, and local laws and policies impacting LGBTQIA2S+-foster youth.
In collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Committee and Policy Team, issue guidance and recommendations to CLC leadership and staff in response to policy changes.
Participate in workgroups and collaborate with field experts and policymakers to advocate for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and inform organizational strategies.
In collaboration with the Training Team and outside consultants, design and conduct a minimum of 3–4 organization-wide trainings on topics such as trauma-informed conversations, gender identity, affirming healthcare, family acceptance, and permanence.
Partner with field experts to co-develop training materials, including the use of the “Let’s Talk About You” toolkit.
Develop and administer pre- and post-training surveys to assess staff learning and inform future training needs.
Explore best practices for improved data tracking of client-reported sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in CLC’s case management system.
Collaborate with UCLA Pritzker Center to develop metrics and evaluate program impact.
Ensure sustainability of program deliverables, including recorded trainings and living documents.
Contribute to long-term organizational change through integration of LGBTQIA2S+-focused practices and resources.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Program
Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance)
Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan
Generous Parental Leave + Additional Leave Options
Fitness/Wellness Program
Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA
Transit + Parking Benefits
Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.
Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)
Paid vacation/sick/holiday time
CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys actively employed on the date bar dues are owed and who have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date. CLC will also pay bar dues for new admittees who are actively employed on their initial payment due date and have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date.