Attorney (CBEST) – Economic Stability Workgroup

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

403(b) retirement plan

Bilingual supplements

Law student loan reimbursements

Cell phone stipend

Hybrid work schedule with Fridays off

Job summary

LAFLA in Los Angeles seeks an Attorney for the Economic Stability Workgroup to advocate for Social Security and public benefits for low-income clients, including SSI, SSDI, and CAPI. You will interview clients, review records, and represent them in administrative hearings or federal court as needed.

A California Bar license and 1–5 years of litigation experience are required; evening/weekend meetings may be needed, with a commitment to access to justice.

Qualifications

• Active membership in the California State Bar.
• 1–5 years of legal experience in litigation or related fields.
• Commitment to serving low-income clients.
• Litigation experience including research, writing, discovery, negotiations, and hearings preferred.
• Familiarity with government benefits programs (General Relief, SSI, Social Security).

Responsibilities

• Conduct extensive interviews with potential or retained clients.
• Review medical records and Social Security/DPSS notices.
• Assess merit for representation based on records and documentation.
• Assist disabled and low-income clients with obtaining or maintaining Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income or CAPI benefits through negotiation and representation at appeals or federal court.

Skills

Litigation

Legal research

Case evaluation

Written advocacy

Education

Active California State Bar Member

Job description

About the Position

Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!

The Organization

LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.

The Workgroup

The Economic Stability Workgroup (ESWG) helps people obtain benefits to fulfill basic needs (food, shelter, medical care, and services to attain self-sufficiency); fights wage theft and denial of unemployment insurance benefits; and advises on wrongful terminations and discriminatory employment practices. ESWG also helps people who cannot afford to repay their student loans due to disability or who have attended for-profit colleges that engaged in predatory, deceptive, or illegal practices. In addition to direct service, ESWG engages in policy advocacy and impact litigation to address systemic problems.

The Position

This position includes a mix of general government benefits advocacy and representing clients in permanent disability appeals before the Social Security Administration (SSI and SSDI cases) or the State Hearings Division (CAPI cases).

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney.

NOTE – This position is part of a special program created using designated funds. There is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond 12 months.

Qualifications

• Active membership in the California State Bar with one to five years experience;
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income people;
• Litigation experience, including case evaluation, legal research and writing, discovery, negotiations, and administrative hearing or trial experience preferred;
• Familiarity with government benefits programs such as General Relief, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security
• Disability Insurance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) and other cash aid programs;
• Previous public interest experience preferred; and
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.5 hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and
• workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessate.

Examples of Duties

• Conduct extensive interviews with potential or retained clients;
• Review medical records and Social Security and Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) notices;
• Assess merit for representation based on extensive review of medical records and other documents; and
• Assist disabled and low-income clients with obtaining or maintaining Social Security Disability Insurance,
• Supplemental Security Income or CAPI benefits through negotiation with the Social Security Administration and the Disability Determination Services agency, representation at administrative appeals or litigation in federal court.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

A one-year probationary period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.

The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact [e-mail].

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

• competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries
• medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents
• life insurance
• long‑term disability and long‑term care insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• bilingual supplements
• law student loan reimbursements
• cell phone stipend

COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS

• Wellness Friday video sessions
• wellness content library
• 15 LAFLA observed holidays
• generous time off benefits

SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE

LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.