Staff Attorney
About The Position
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm that works with people who cannot afford private legal representation to uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Through its 17 Rural Justice Centers, CRLA provides direct legal services, place-based advocacy, and specialized litigation in California’s historically rural communities. The Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA priority areas, consistent with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services, and the Code of Professional Responsibility. The role includes direct client representation, impact advocacy, community education, collaboration with advocacy and service organizations, and participation in CRLA office and statewide activities. The position is based in Santa Maria, California, is full-time and union-represented, and reports to the Directing Attorney. The role requires at least six months of experience.
Requirements
- Be admitted to practice law in California or be willing to take the next California Bar Exam.
- Demonstrate a commitment to working with low-income clients.
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Be able to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
- Have good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.
- Meet CRLA's requirement that employees be fully vaccinated, defined as having a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot; reasonable allowable accommodations are addressed in the vaccination policy.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with low-income families and communities.
- Experience in a nonprofit legal services environment.
- Prior legal services experience.
- Additional language ability relevant to the role.
- Bilingual English and Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Provide legal services to low-income clients and client groups, including advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative advocacy, in accordance with program priorities and case-handling policies.
- Review and supervise work product prepared by Community Workers and clerical support staff concerning clients advised or represented by the attorney.
- Undertake significant statewide impact activity, including institutional and group litigation or community economic development that benefits low-income communities.
- Develop leadership in working with community, client, and other advocacy groups on statewide impact issues.
- Develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and serve as a resource for other staff through participation in at least one CRLA task force.
- Coordinate advocacy in substantive areas by collaborating with human services providers, nonprofit organizations, and community, client, or other advocacy groups.
- Participate in CRLA training programs, local office case reviews or staff meetings, and other required CRLA activities.
- Provide community education about legal rights and prepare materials for presentations.
- Work with members of the private bar as necessary in accordance with CRLA Private Bar Involvement.
- Maintain contemporaneous time records in the CRLA case management system.
- Maintain a good working relationship with all members of the office staff.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance for employees, with up to 50% dependent coverage.
- 401(k) retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately.
- Payment of some professional dues, including bar fees.
- If qualified, up to $8,000 in law school Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program (LRAP).
- Paid leave including 15 days of sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation accruing at 15 days during the first year of service and 20 days after one year at CRLA.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
