YPSAC/WRIT ATTORNEY

Children's Law Center of California•Monterey Park, CA

22d•Hybrid

About The Position

CLC is seeking a skilled and passionate Staff Attorney to join our Young Parents Support Advocacy program, a multidisciplinary legal services program focused on supporting expectant and parenting youth (EPY) in foster care to keep their young families together. EPY in foster care are subject to an array of pressures and challenges that place them at acute risk of child welfare contact with their own children. The EPY Young Parents Support & Advocacy team’s aim is to keep families safely together and to minimize the trauma caused by child welfare investigations and removals. In addition to representing parenting clients in dependency and related proceedings, the Attorney will work collaboratively with team members regarding their clients’ rights as parents; their rights as dependent youth; and how those legal frameworks intersect. The Los Angeles based Attorney will also work collaboratively with other staff to ensure fidelity to CLC’s core mission to provide high-quality representation to CLC clients, implement CLC policies and procedures, engage in continuous quality improvement, and further CLC’s strategic goals. This role operates under the Children’s Law Center hybrid work model and requires an on-site presence approximately 50% of the time. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.

Requirements

A minimum of 3 years of legal experience, a Juris Doctor degree, and a member in good standing of the State Bar of California is required.
A working knowledge of the Los Angeles County child welfare system.
A working knowledge of motion work including writs, appeals, trial brief, points and authorities and other written practice models.
Knowledge of the Rules of Court and Rules of Civil Procedure.
Cultural competence in working with a diverse client population.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. They should demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication.
Excellent time management skills, accountability, problem solving, principled decision-making, and critical thinking ability is required.
Possess the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in the practice of law, and to maintain effective relationships with clients, families, service providers, and other child welfare professionals.
A creative, client-centered approach to advocating for marginalized communities.
Continuous learning: staying informed and adapting evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.
A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required while working for Children’s Law Center.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a collaborative practice model with case managers, clinicians, lived experience experts and care providers is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide holistic legal representation for CLC’s expectant and parenting clients, which includes:
Dependency court appearances on behalf of EPY clients.
Willingness to conduct field work and engage with clients in the community.
Work collaboratively as a member of the Young Parents Support Team, which consists of one other attorney and three case managers.
Provide guidance and legal counsel to clients regarding the child welfare process and their rights as parents.
Develop and execute effective case strategies, including calling witnesses, making oral arguments, marking and admitting evidence, and writing motions.
Communicate with clients in youth-friendly, age-appropriate ways – exercising best practices in discussing sensitive/traumatic topics.
Consult with attorneys, case managers, peer advocates, mental health, dual status, CSEC and other specialists throughout CLCLA 4 and other teams regarding their EPY clients.
Ongoing training to ensure a deep understanding of relevant local, state, and federal statutes, case law, and legal obligations under the California Welfare and Institutions Code.
Legal advocacy outside of the dependency context to meet client needs, such as helping a parenting client secure an appropriate custody order for their child in a family or probate law setting.
Assist in building a network of stakeholders to ensure CLC has the tools and resources to respond to the individual needs of each of our EPY clients.
Engage in national pre-petition/pre-filing workgroups as needed.
Prepare and file emergency writ petitions on behalf of firm including assisting attorneys representing non-minor dependents, victims of human trafficking and related legal issues.
Provide research and writing support to all firm team members.
Participate in CLC’s agency-wide Writ Team including participation in trainings, preparation of the monthly legal newsletter and other Writ Team responsibilities.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Program
Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance)
Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan
Generous Parental Leave + Additional Leave Options
Fitness/Wellness Program
Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA
Transit + Parking Benefits
Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.
Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)
Paid vacation/sick/holiday time
CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys actively employed on the date bar dues are owed and who have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date. CLC will also pay bar dues for new admittees who are actively employed on their initial payment due date and have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date. Must meet eligibility requirements upon open enrollment