ATTORNEY (CONTRACT)

Children's Law Center of California; Monterey Park (CA); On-site; USD 88,510 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Company-sponsored benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance)

Up to 6% employer-matched retirement plan

Generous parental leave

Fitness and wellness program

Transit and parking benefits

Job summary

Children's Law Center of California is looking for a dedicated Attorney to represent clients in dependency proceedings. The role involves assessing cases, advocating for clients, and applying dependency law effectively. Applicants should have a Juris Doctor degree, a valid California State Bar membership, and experience in dependency law. The position offers a full-time contract with a salary ranging from $88,510 to $120,000 per year. Benefits include healthcare, retirement plans, and a flexible working environment.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in dependency law or trial experience preferred.
• Interest and proficiency in working with children and youth in diverse communities.
• Maintain a valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance.

Responsibilities

• Assess critical issues of each assigned case and advocate for clients.
• Independently investigate facts needed to assess each case.
• Effectively apply dependency case law, statutes, and court rules.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Judgment

Cultural sensitivity

Case analysis

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Member in good standing of the State Bar of California

Job description

Job Snapshot

Our CLC Attorney will have a deeply demonstrated commitment to the legal representation of clients in dependency proceedings in and out of court.

Job Type

Full-time, Contract

Position Title

ATTORNEY

Reports To

Supervising Attorney

Salary

\$88,510 to \$120,000 per year

Contract Period

June 1, 2026 through February 1, 2027

Responsibilities

• Assess the critical issues of each assigned case and advocate for each client by:
• Maintain professional effective working relationships with bench officers, courtroom personnel, social workers, attorneys, CASAs and service providers.
• Independently investigate and appropriately direct social work investigators to obtain facts needed to properly assess each case.
• Effectively apply dependency case law, statutes and court rules; use effective trial and courtroom presentation skills.
• Use sound case analysis and judgment; effectively negotiate with other counsel.
• Prepare witnesses and apply evidentiary rules and objections.
• Prepare clear, concise and persuasive motions, pleadings, briefs and memoranda of law, as well as correspondence and reports, thoroughly researching applicable law and submitting documents in a timely manner.
• Engage available resources to properly represent and advocate for our client’s best interest, including but not limited to:
• Educational resources
• Medical providers and mental health professionals
• Regional center resources
• Community-based service providers
• Other legal experts or consultants, such as Legal Aid, Public Counsel, Alliance for Children’s Rights, etc.
• Public Defenders in Delinquency Court and Department 95.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and awareness of cultural differences to effectively communicate and advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds. Develop professional relationships with and provide sound advice to clients using frequent age-appropriate interviews that adhere to ethical standards. Follow up on client requests and court orders to ensure that clients receive services in a timely manner.
• Treat clients’ caregivers and family members respectfully.
• Continuous learning: stay informed and adapt evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.

Requirements

• Maintain professional relationships with all CLC coworkers through collaboration with attorneys, supervisors and CLC leadership, demonstrating respect for support staff, expressing flexibility and willingness to assist with coverage in other courtrooms, mentorship and being a role model for less experienced attorneys, and ability to seek assistance from supervisors when prudent or required.
• Effectively manage multiple caseloads by opening and closing files in a timely manner, meeting deadlines, completing all appropriate office reports in a timely manner (including timesheets, case counts and conflict reports), maintaining files in an orderly manner according to office policy, properly documenting court proceedings, contacts and case developments, and maintaining an accurate calendar of upcoming hearings for each case.
• Prioritize and allocate time and resources effectively.
• Follow office policies and procedures.
• Have prior experience in dependency law or trial experience preferred.
• Have interest and proficiency in working with children and youth in diverse communities.
• Hold a Juris Doctor degree and be a member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
• Maintain a valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile and auto insurance while working for Children’s Law Center.

Perks + Benefits: Health + Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Program
• Company-sponsored benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance)
• Up to 6% employer-matched retirement plan
• Generous parental leave and additional leave options
• Fitness and wellness program
• Health care and dependent day care FSA
• Transit and parking benefits

Growth + Development

• Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees in good standing who have been with CLC for at least two years.

Flexibility + Additional

• Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)
• Paid vacation, sick and 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. CLC recognizes the importance of bringing together a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and talents across all roles, and we encourage candidates with varied backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. CLC is committed to fair and welcoming practices in recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, individual with disability, medical condition, marital status, ancestry, military status, veteran status, protected veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected group status or non-job related characteristic of an individual as directed by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity – Reasonable Accommodation Assistance

Children’s Law Center of California is committed to maintaining an environment of equal opportunity. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided by this organization, please contact [e-mail] for further assistance regarding job postings.