Staff Attorney

UnCommon Law•Oakland, CA

23d•$84,000 - $100,800•Hybrid

About The Position

UnCommon Law seeks a Staff Attorney to provide legal services to clients and participants through direct representation in parole hearings, consultation management and delivery, habeas and other litigation, and legal services through Home After Harm and related in-prison workshops. The position is based in Oakland, California, with a hybrid work model, and reports directly to the Supervising Attorney. It is an exempt position with an annual salary range of $84,000 to $100,800+, commensurate with relevant experience. The anticipated start date is Spring 2027. The role allocates approximately 70% of time to direct representation, 15% to the Home After Harm Pilot Program, 10% to educational training and events, and 5% to organization-wide work. UnCommon Law’s mission is to ensure that people incarcerated for violent crime have access to effective legal representation and opportunities for healing, accountability, and safe pathways home. Its advocacy model is trauma-informed and centers the voices and experiences of system-impacted communities.

Requirements

J.D. and 0–6+ years of experience as a practicing attorney.
Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
Excellent legal writing skills, including the ability to be persuasive, kind, and clear for varied audiences.
Creative problem-solving approach and willingness to overcome obstacles.
Ability to approach client work with kindness, non-judgment, and confidentiality.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, take initiative, and remain self-motivated.
Ability to work collaboratively and manage competing, time-sensitive priorities.
Proficiency in providing trauma-informed client services.
Compassion for incarcerated people and their family members, and demonstrated interest in criminal justice reform.
Ability to pass a background check that permits entry into California prisons, such as by having valid identification or a driver’s license.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Box, and Slack, or ability to learn these tools on the job.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated work history in a similar or related legal field before or during law school; preferred but not required.
Experience working with people incarcerated in jail or prison; preferred but not required.
Experience with or familiarity with California’s discretionary parole system; preferred but not required.
Spanish language skills are highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of individual clients preparing for parole hearings.
Conduct client intake visits and assessments; meet with clients in person, by video, or by telephone; and provide written correspondence and follow-up.
Communicate with clients’ supporters and loved ones, review documents, and provide feedback.
Represent clients at parole hearings and provide other advocacy during parole processes, including correcting risk assessments and preparing written or oral statements for en banc hearings.
Draft, edit, and submit legal advocacy documents to the Board of Parole Hearings or Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials as needed.
Participate in bi-weekly attorney case rounds and legal/clinical trainings, and quarterly parole hearing observation.
Manage a caseload of Home After Harm participants, including opening case correspondence, conducting in-person legal visits and related preparation and follow-up, reviewing transcripts for eligible participants, participating in educational workshops, and handling correspondence and follow-up.
Assist in revising and editing existing Home After Harm legal workshops as needed.
Participate in Pathways to Parole Success workshops inside California state prisons, Lifer School, and other UnCommon Law community education trainings.
May provide trainings on the parole process with community or legal organizations.
Participate in regular staff meetings, occasional in-person team-building activities and retreats, and occasional cross-team projects such as policy, non-client mail, and fundraising.

Benefits

100% paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees on select insurance plans; 75% coverage for dependents.
$200 per month in Health Reimbursement Account funds for reimbursable therapeutic expenses.
Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Flexible time-off policy.
Two-week annual office closure from late December to early January.
Family leave policy.
Flexible hours.
Flexible spending account and retirement plans.
Regular access to training and clinical support.
13 paid holidays.
12 days of sick leave.
In-office lunches and community gatherings.