Supervising Attorney, Legal Services

UnCommon Law • Oakland, CA

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

About UnCommon Law UnCommon Law fights to ensure that all people incarcerated for violent crime have access to effective legal representation and opportunities for healing. Through our unique, trauma-informed model of advocacy, we provide the space currently missing in the system for healing, accountability, and safe pathways home from prison. In developing new self-narratives, the people we serve are able to more effectively disrupt violence inside and outside prison and become leaders who change negative societal narratives about those incarcerated for violent crime. Our groundbreaking approach is changing policy and outcomes, driven by the voices and experiences of system-impacted communities. UnCommon Law’s values include accountability, audacity, authenticity, collaboration, community, empathy, imagination, joy, liberation, and sustainability. About the Role The Supervising Attorney is responsible for providing high-quality legal representation to individual direct representation clients appearing before the CA Board of Parole Hearings, in addition to providing legal support to Home After Harm program participants and supervision and support across the Legal Team. This role will directly supervise 1-5 Staff Attorneys with less than three years of experience at UCL and may also supervise and/or support law clerks, legal assistants, volunteers, and other Legal Team members as needed. The Supervising Attorney will provide substantive guidance, mentorship, and hands-on training in UCL’s model of representation, helping team members strengthen their legal skills and develop their practice. In addition, the Supervising Attorney will lead educational and training programs for law students, outside attorneys, and other partners. This exempt position reports directly to the Director of Legal Services and offers an annual salary range of $106,400.00 to $120,587.00. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our values. Final salary offers are determined based on the candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as assessed during the interview process and aligned with our structured salary schedule. Our office is based in Oakland, CA, and we offer a hybrid work model to our employees.

Requirements

• Minimum of three years of experience as an attorney at UCL
• Attorney licensed in the State of California
• Active California State Bar membership, in good standing
• Excellent legal writing skills with an ability to be persuasive, kind, and clear for various audiences
• Creative, problem-solving mentality and approach to overcoming obstacles
• Willingness to approach client work with kindness, non-judgement, and confidentiality
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and be self-motivated
• Communicative team player who can manage competing and time-sensitive priorities
• Proficiency in providing trauma-informed client services
• Organized, detail-oriented, and possessing time- and project-management skills
• Interest and excitement in mentorship, supervision, and talent development
• Compassion for incarcerated persons and their family members, and a demonstrated interest in criminal justice reform
• Ability to pass a background check that would permit entry into California prisons
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Box, and Slack, or an ability to learn on the job

Nice To Haves

• Experience supervising attorneys and/or other legal staff
• Experience in a related legal field either prior to or during law school
• Experience working directly with people who are currently or formerly incarcerated
• Experience with or knowledge of California’s discretionary parole system
• Experience working with volunteers and managing volunteer programs
• Proficiency in a language other than English

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of individual clients in preparation for parole hearings
• Client representation includes: One-on-one visits with clients in-person, via video, or via telephone, Written correspondence and follow-up, Communication with supporters and loved ones, Document review and feedback, Representation of clients at their parole hearings, Other advocacy on behalf of clients in parole processes (e.g. correcting risk assessments, written and oral statements at en banc hearings, etc.)
• Draft, edit, and submit other legal advocacy documents to Board of Parole Hearings or Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials as needed
• Participate in Bi-Weekly Attorney Case Rounds and Bi-Weekly Legal/Clinical Trainings
• Manage a caseload of Home After Harm participants, including: Opening case correspondence (opening letter, attorney-client agreement), One in-person legal visit, including preparation and follow-up, Transcript reviews for some participants, Participation in 3-4 workshops per cohort, Miscellaneous written correspondence and follow-up
• Supervise revision and editing of existing HAH legal workshops
• Assist Director of Legal Services in work planning and project management of legal services for participants
• Supervise 1-5 attorneys on UCL’s Legal Team who have less than three years of experience at UCL, including providing weekly check-ins, document review, guidance, and support
• Supervise summer law clerks, legal assistants, volunteers as needed
• Lead all performance review processes for direct reports, including 90-day and annual reviews
• Coordinate hiring, onboarding, and training of any new Staff Attorneys, Legal Fellows, or Legal Assistants with support of the Director of Legal Services
• Assist Director of Legal Services in revising and/or creating training materials/series, e.g., Legal/Clinical Trainings and Attorney Case Rounds
• Manage the law student Post-Conviction Advocacy Project (PCAP)
• Train and supervise law student teams in client representation
• Attend and oversee hearings for PCAP clients
• Serve as a resource as well as backup for students in their hearings
• Lead planning and execution of Lifer School and related UCL educational training programs
• Participate in PPS Workshops inside California state prisons
• Engage with community organizations and/or legal organizations to provide trainings on the parole process
• Lead efforts to formalize UCL’s technical assistance program for outside attorneys
• Participate in regular staff meetings
• Occasionally participate in in-person team building activities and retreats
• Occasionally assist in 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 and covers 75% for dependents
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) of $200/month in reimbursable funds for therapeutic expenses
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
• Flexible time off policy
• Office closure for two weeks from late December to early January
• Generous family leave policy
• Flexible hours
• FSA and retirement plans
• Regular access to training and clinical support
• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of sick leave

What This Job Offers

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