Affirmative Litigation Staff Attorney - CCLS (Fresno)

SJCL; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

CCLS seeks an experienced affirmative litigation staff attorney to join our Fresno office. The role focuses on cases from intake to trial, with opportunities to lead matters, negotiate settlements, and collaborate with a team dedicated to access to justice for underrepresented communities.

The ideal candidate holds California Bar membership, has strong legal writing and litigation skills, and is committed to public-interest law.

Qualifications

• Member in good standing of the State Bar of California;
• Strong legal writing, research, editing and analytical skills;
• Experience in all stages of civil litigation;
• Ability and willingness to expand substantive legal knowledge in new practice areas as needed, and to have the flexibility required to effectively partner with other CCLS legal teams to ensure exceptional client outcomes;
• Experience working with low-income clients (preferred);
• Ability to communicate effectively with people with communication barriers including those who are stressed or confused, those who suffer from physical or mental disabilities or those for whom English is a second language;
• Bilingual ability desirable and eligible for salary adjustment (Hmong/English or Spanish/English especially relevant);
• Comfortable working under pressure, including tight deadlines and challenging topics/clients/opposing attorneys;
• Commitment to the rights of our clients;
• Ability to travel as needed and proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.

Responsibilities

• Case evaluation and development;
• Maintain a significant litigation case load (intake through trial), both as lead attorney on some matters and as part of a team on others;
• Effectively negotiate favorable settlements, both formally and informally, and strategically implement a settlement strategy when necessary or appropriate;
• Work with other CCLS advocates and the affirmative litigation team as a whole to ensure delivery of high-quality legal representation to clients consistent with CCLS program priorities;
• Assist the Director of Litigation in developing and maintaining relationships with client groups and community-based service providers to help identify community lawyering opportunities;
• Assist the team in identifying and analyzing systemic issues through positive connections with other CCLS legal teams and community organizations;
• Participate in weekly CCLS case review meetings, keep abreast of changes in the law, including continuing legal education, and adhere to CCLS policies and procedures;
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal writing

Research

Editing

Analytical skills

Civil litigation experience

Communication

Bilingual (Spanish)

Education

Bar membership California

Job description

Affirmative Litigation Staff Attorney - CCLS (Fresno)

CCLS seeks an experienced litigator to join our growing affirmative and impact litigation team. The ideal candidate has handled cases from inception to resolution, having had primary responsibility for written discovery, depositions and law and motion work. Some trial experience is preferred but not required. We are looking for a passionate advocate who is committed to access to justice for all and providing exceptional representation to the disenfranchised. We offer the opportunity to further develop your litigation skills and to help grow and shape the litigation that CCLS undertakes to address the legal barriers of individuals and communities living in poverty.

Our team values positive interpersonal skills, collaboration, communication, feedback, professionalism, social consciousness, a strong work ethic and a sense of humor. We provide a supportive environment for attorneys training to become great litigators, or for more senior litigators looking to transition to deeply meaningful community work later in their career.

This is a full-time position, but part-time would be considered for a candidate with prior substantial litigation experience.

Duties

• Case evaluation and development;
• Maintain a significant litigation case load (intake through trial), both as lead attorney on some matters and as part of a team on others;
• Effectively negotiate favorable settlements, both formally and informally, and strategically implement a settlement strategy when necessary or appropriate;
• Work with other CCLS advocates and the affirmative litigation team as a whole to ensure delivery of high-quality legal representation to clients consistent with CCLS program priorities;
• Assist the Director of Litigation in developing and maintaining relationships with client groups and community-based service providers to help identify community lawyering opportunities;
• Assist the team in identifying and analyzing systemic issues through positive connections with other CCLS legal teams and community organizations;
• Participate in weekly CCLS case review meetings, keep abreast of changes in the law, including continuing legal education, and adhere to CCLS policies and procedures;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Member in good standing of the State Bar of California;
• Strong legal writing, research, editing and analytical skills;
• Experience in all stages of civil litigation;
• Ability and willingness to expand substantive legal knowledge in new practice areas as needed, and to have the flexibility required to effectively partner with other CCLS legal teams to ensure exceptional client outcomes;
• Experience working with low-income clients (preferred);
• Ability to communicate effectively with people with communication barriers including those who are stressed or confused, those who suffer from physical or mental disabilities or those for whom English is a second language;
• Bilingual ability desirable and eligible for salary adjustment (Hmong/English or Spanish/English especially relevant);
• Comfortable working under pressure, including tight deadlines and challenging topics/clients/opposing attorneys;
• Commitment to the rights of our clients;
• Ability to travel as needed and proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.