Supervising Attorney, Health

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley•San Jose, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley is seeking a Supervising Attorney to join its Health program. The Health Program provides free legal advice and representation to individuals in Santa Clara County who identify as living with mental health disabilities. They also offer legal assistance to patients of specific health centers and individuals experiencing homelessness. This role involves supervising staff, overseeing casework, implementing program priorities, and fostering a learning culture. The position also requires direct legal services, including public benefits advocacy, civil commitment hearings, and public health-related legal work, as well as representing individuals with mental health conditions and disabilities. Building community partnerships and ensuring coordinated service delivery are also key aspects of the role.

Requirements

Current member in good standing with the California State Bar.
3-5 years of pre-litigation and administrative advocacy experience and/or 3-5 years of public interest or similar advocacy experience.
A valid driver’s license or other reliable transportation (to travel locally as needed for case work and court appearances).
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 or similar, with openness to learning new tools.
Leadership in Legal Practice: You either currently supervise or manage attorneys or legal staff, or you have experience leading teams, people, or complex legal work and are ready to move into a formal management role in a mission-driven environment.
Mission Alignment & Commitment to Equity: A strong commitment to the Law Foundation’s mission, with a deep dedication to civil rights, social justice, and racial equity. You understand how systemic barriers and intersecting identities shape legal outcomes and are motivated to advance inclusion, belonging, and more equitable systems through your work.
Leadership & Cultural Competency: Strong emotional intelligence and cultural competency, with experience leading, coaching, or mentoring a diverse team. You are able to support others, contribute to a healthy team culture, and recognize and address inequitable work norms. You have experience working with diverse communities, including communities of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, trans individuals, people experiencing homelessness, people living with disabilities or chronic health conditions tied to poverty, people actively using substances, and individuals with involvement in the criminal legal system.
Legal Expertise & Systems Knowledge: Experience and understanding of public benefits, estate planning, employment, and consumer law, and/or significant experience working with mental health consumers, particularly in an in-patient hospitalization setting, as well as relevant state and federal constitutional and civil rights laws. You have experience working with systems such as Social Security and health agencies and can manage a litigation docket or legal caseload.
Communication & Collaboration: Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across audiences. You are organized, able to manage competing priorities, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a legal team environment.

Responsibilities

Supervise a team of staff attorneys and professional staff, including oversight of casework.
Support implementation of program priorities, workflows, and internal processes.
Help implement internal operational policies and procedures.
Foster a learning culture through regular feedback, coaching, and case/project debriefs.
Celebrate successes and help team members manage setbacks.
Promote staff engagement, collaboration, goal setting, and professional growth.
Advance the Law Foundation’s race, equity, and inclusion (REI) values in day-to-day supervision and practice.
Contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
Collaborate across departments to support coordinated service delivery.
Ensure that community lawyering and advocacy remain central to the Health team’s work.
Lead direct legal services, including public benefits advocacy, civil commitment hearings, and public health-related legal work.
Represent and advocate for individuals living with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, and other chronic health issues linked to poverty.
Oversee projects related to monitoring mental health facilities for legal compliance and potential violations.
Build and maintain relationships with community partners, allies, and coalition organizations in support of team goals.
Partner with internal teams to ensure coordinated, seamless, and client-centered 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
An office building that offers a fully equipped gym, outdoor terrace, convenient on-site parking, bike storage, lounge areas, and 24/7 security