Summer Law Clerk, Housing

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley • San Jose, CA

9d • $8,500 • Hybrid

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 85 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley exposes students to our different programs with the intention to help them develop as public interest attorneys. Each law clerk is assigned to a supervising attorney who will provide constructive feedback in a positive learning environment. The Housing Program is dedicated to the prevention of displacement of low-income individuals and communities of color through both direct legal services, including unlawful detainer defense, and system change work, including impact litigation and policy advocacy.

Requirements

• Strong commitment to civil rights
• Ability to analyze, write and present ideas clearly and concisely
• Familiarity with legal research methods
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
• Organizational skills and computer proficiency
• Ability to treat all clients with dignity and respect
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Connections to and experience working with diverse populations, including communities of color and people living with disabilities
• Passion for social justice and race equity as well as a desire to provide assistance to underserved populations
• 2Ls (i.e., rising 3Ls) preferred
• Awareness of how race and other identities shape our work with communities; commitment to inclusion and belonging
• Alignment with the mission and values of LFSV
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 or similar, with openness to learning new tools

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual language skills (particularly Spanish or Vietnamese) highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Work primarily in our direct services housing practice providing advice and brief legal services, to low-income tenants facing eviction or housing discrimination.
• Support the Law Foundation’s systemic advocacy by conducting legal and policy research, case investigation, legal drafting, and supporting tenant and unhoused community organizing.

Benefits

• $8,500 living allowance to each summer clerk who commits to and completes a 10-week internship and is not also receiving compensation from a private law firm.
• Stipends will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for students also receiving compensation from a private law firm.
• Encourage candidates who will receive course credit for the work/training completed over the summer with us.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed