Unhoused Advocacy Fellow, Health

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley•San Jose, CA

19h•$76,000 - $109,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley is seeking a Legal Fellow for its Health Program, focusing on unhoused outreach and legal advocacy. This role will address issues such as economic rights, RV tow hearings, property claims, and small claims matters for unhoused adults, with a particular emphasis on older adults facing housing insecurity. The project also involves policy advocacy and coalition building. The fellow will conduct outreach in encampments and shelters, build partnerships with relevant organizations, and provide legal assistance on public benefits, housing applications, RV tow hearings, property claims, small claims, and criminal expungement. The position is full-time, exempt, and fixed-term until June 30, 2027.

Requirements

Current member in good standing with the California State Bar, plan to take the next California Bar Examination, or graduating law student eligible to sit for the upcoming exam and in the process of obtaining a positive moral character determination.
Prior experience or a general understanding of legal aid services and the communities most impacted.
A passion for social justice and race equity.
Able to work sensitively and productively to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems.
Excellent verbal, interpersonal, research, writing, analytical, interviewing, and organizational skills.
Able to work independently and as a part of a team.
Excellent time and caseload management skills; ability to work independently to get tasks done.
Have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to attend hearings, home visits, and outreach events.
Basic computer proficiency and willingness to learn new technology as needed.
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.
Employees must be California State residents.

Nice To Haves

Recent graduates and junior-level attorneys are encouraged to apply.
Bilingual in English and Spanish or Vietnamese.
Interest or passion in community-driven advocacy, policy advocacy, and/or impact litigation preferred.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of individual clients and broader advocacy efforts.
Engage in outreach to educate the unhoused community about their legal rights and connect them to legal services.
Provide legal advocacy and representation to unhoused adults.
Represent and advise clients on public benefits issues (SSDI, SSI, Medi-Cal) to help clients maintain or prevent the loss of entitled benefits.
Engage in community-based advocacy, coalitions, system reform, pre-litigation, and legislative efforts concerning unhoused clients.
Assist with client intake, referrals, and administrative tasks such as data entry.
Participate in Law Foundation activities, such as program meetings, special events, and fundraisers.
Assist underserved populations, including communities of color, LGBTQIA+ community, immigrant/refugee communities, individuals living with physical and/or mental health disabilities, unstably housed individuals, people using drugs, and system-impacted individuals in line with the Law Foundation’s Race Equity Inclusion principles.

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
A robust Employee Assistance Program that includes free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents
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
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