Staff Attorney, Children & Youth (Dependency)
About The Position
The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (“Law Foundation”) is dedicated to advancing the rights of historically excluded individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County. Through our legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach, we empower over 14,000 individuals and families each year. Our Housing, Children & Youth, Health and Pro Bono Programs use legal advocacy as a catalyst for social change, creating innovative solutions to the legal challenges facing low-income communities in our region. With a dedicated team of over 75 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. The Law Foundation is excited to offer an opportunity for a Staff Attorney to join our Children & Youth program’s dependency team. The Children and Youth Program provides free and confidential legal assistance to children and youth in juvenile dependency, family law, probate guardianship, immigration, education matters, and numerous other practice areas; advocacy to improve court and community systems designed to protect and promote child welfare; and workshops to educate youth, parents, caregivers and members of the community about issues impacting child welfare and legal rights.
Requirements
- Passion for social justice and race equity, as well as a desire to help underserved populations
- California Bar Membership (individuals awaiting California Bar Exam results are eligible to apply) or are eligible to practice law in California through the Multijurisdictional Practice Program
- Demonstrated commitment to the rights of children & youth
- Experience in practice of youth law
- Ability to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems
- Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
- Ability to manage multiple clients in high-stress situations
- Ability to engage in trauma-informed practice and work sensitively and productively with minors who have experienced trauma
- Valid Driver’s License or other transportation to attend hearings, home visits, and offsite meetings
- Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills
- Committed to racial equity, inclusion and belonging and able recognize the ways that race, and other identities intersect in the work, especially for communities we serve
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, or capacity to pick up new computer skills
- Employees must be California State residents.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in courtroom advocacy
- Experience working with individuals from multiethnic communities desired
Responsibilities
- Provide representation, advocacy, and information for minors in the juvenile dependency system
- Represent minors subject to petitions alleging abuse and neglect
- Courtroom advocacy including uncontested hearings, trials, and mediation
- Work in tandem with a Children & Youth social worker to assess the needs of clients
- Participate in Children & Youth's regular team meetings, staff meetings, and program development activities
- Assist the Children & Youth Directing Attorney and Supervising Attorney, as needed
- Participate in general office upkeep duties, including computer data entry of intake information, filing, copying, drafting and filing court documents, and serving notices
- Maintain statistics on youth served and billing records
- Identify other legal issues for dependent minors and advocate, as appropriate
- Meet with clients in a variety of environments, including office, school, and home settings
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure a seamless and people-centered approach to service delivery
Benefits
- 19 paid holidays per year
- 3-5 weeks of vacation per year
- 12 days of sick leave per year
- Up to 6 months of parental leave
- Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
- Free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents through our Employee Assistance Program
- A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions
- A sabbatical after 5 years of employment
- An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job
- An annual budget for professional development
- Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees
- The flexibility to work a hybrid schedule
- A fully equipped gym, outdoor terrace, convenient on-site parking, bike storage, lounge areas, and 24/7 security
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
