Staff Attorney

UnCommon Law•Oakland, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

UnCommon Law seeks a Staff Attorney to provide legal services to clients and participants across several representation modalities, including 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 exempt, reports directly to the Supervising Attorney, and is based in Oakland, California, with a hybrid work model. The anticipated start date is Spring 2027. The annual salary range is $84,000 to $100,800+, commensurate with years of direct relevant experience and determined in accordance with the organization’s structured salary schedule. The Staff Attorney’s time is allocated approximately 70% to direct representation, 15% to the Home After Harm Pilot Program, 10% to educational training and events, and 5% to organization-wide activities. The role includes managing a caseload of clients preparing for parole hearings, supporting Home After Harm participants, contributing to prison and community education, and participating in organizational meetings and collaborative work.

Requirements

J.D. and 0–6+ years of experience as a practicing attorney.
Active membership in good standing in the California State Bar.
Excellent legal writing skills, with the ability to be persuasive, kind, and clear for various audiences.
Creative, problem-solving approach to overcoming obstacles.
Willingness to approach client work with kindness, non-judgment, and confidentiality.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, take initiative, and be self-motivated.
Communicative team player able to manage competing and time-sensitive priorities.
Proficiency in providing trauma-informed client services.
Compassion for incarcerated people and their family members, and a demonstrated interest in criminal justice reform.
Ability to pass a background check permitting 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 history of working 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 or familiarity with California’s discretionary parole system; preferred but not required.
Bilingual skills in Spanish are highly preferred but not required.

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; provide written correspondence and follow-up; communicate with supporters and loved ones; review documents and provide feedback; and represent clients at parole hearings.
Provide other advocacy during parole processes, including correcting risk assessments and preparing written or oral statements at 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, quarterly parole hearing observations, and other continued learning and training opportunities.
Manage a caseload of Home After Harm participants, including opening case correspondence, conducting in-person legal visits and follow-up, reviewing transcripts for eligible participants, participating in educational workshops, and handling written 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 and in Lifer School and other UnCommon Law community education trainings.
May provide trainings on the parole process to community organizations and/or legal organizations.
Participate in regular staff meetings and occasional in-person team-building activities and retreats.
Occasionally assist with cross-team collaborative opportunities, such as policy, non-client mail, and fundraising.

Benefits

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