Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) ATTORNEY

Childrens Law Center of California; Monterey Park (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement Plan Match

Parental Leave

Wellness Program

Transit Benefits

Bar Dues Paid

Professional Development

Flexible Schedule

Job summary

Children’s Law Center of California in Monterey Park seeks a CSEC Attorney to provide direct representation for youth in foster care who have been trafficked or exploited, handling up to 60 clients and coordinating with welfare, education, and community partners.

The role requires a JD, CA Bar admission, and a strong commitment to ethical practice, resilience, and effective advocacy in a high-stress environment. Competitive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• JD degree and CA Bar membership required.
• Experience with child welfare, juvenile justice, or dependency court preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct representation for up to 60 youth in the CSEC dependency courtroom.
• Attend MDTs and multi-disciplinary meetings on behalf of clients.
• Handle new Welfare & Institutions Code §300(b)(2) filings and transfers to the CSEC docket.
• Collaborate with CSEC team members and supervising attorney.
• Participate in CSEC steering, victim-witness, and empowerment initiatives.
• Build relationships with community service providers and contribute to policy work.

Skills

Juris Doctor degree / Bar admission CA

Ethical conduct

Emotional resilience

Oral and written advocacy

Interpersonal skills with diverse/yout

Driver's license & auto insurance

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Admitted to CA Bar

Job description

Full-time

Description

POSITION TITLE: CSEC ATTORNEY

Reports to: Supervising Attorney

Salary: $88,510-$118, 946/annually (compensation reflective of qualifications and credentials)

Job Snapshot

The CSEC Program provides a collaborative and intensive model of legal representation and service delivery to some of CLC’s most high-need clients: youth in foster care who have been trafficked or exploited. A CSEC Attorney will represent up to 60 CSEC clients at any given time, advocating for youth and emerging adult clients both in and outside of the courtroom. The CSEC Attorney will also collaborate with a cross sector of child welfare, workforce, educational, and other community and county agencies working with transition-age clients to ensure access to necessary resources and services to prepare for life after foster care.

Your Impact on the Mission – Excellence in Advocacy

• Provide direct representation for up to 60 youth within the first year in the CSEC dependency courtroom;
• Attend and participate in multi-disciplinary meetings (MDTs) on behalf of clients;
• Pick up all new Welfare & Institutions Code Section 300(b)(2) filings assigned to the CSEC dependency courtroom; accept transfers of CSEC identified cases from other CLC firms;
• Collaborate with other members of the CLC CSEC Team which may include attorney and investigator supervisors, investigators, peer advocates, MSW interns and other supporting staff;
• Work closely with the Supervising Attorney to attend and participate in meetings which may include, but are not limited to:
  • CSEC Steering Committee Meeting
  • Victim Witness Protocol Meeting
  • ICAN CSEC Meeting
  • CLC CSEC Monthly Check-in Conference Calls
• Develop professional relationships with CSEC service providers in the community;
• Assist the Policy Team as needed on issues of legislation and policy impacting CSEC youth;
• Attend at least one CSEC training per month; Attend at some Saturday CSEC Empowerment Events and the 3-day Annual Empowerment Conference; and
• Provide CSEC training and consultation to case-carrying CLC attorneys, investigators, peer advocates and other staff as needed.

Continuous learning: staying informed and adapting evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.

Requirements

The Assets You Possess/Essential Qualifications

Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor degree and be a member in good standing of the State Bar of California. Prior attendance at CSEC 101 training and at least one CSEC 102 training, and one year dependency or juvenile justice experience preferred.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate:

• Deep understanding of the child welfare system, the California Welfare and Institutions Code, Rules of Court, Local Rules, and DCFS policy.
• High standards of ethical and professional conduct.
• Must be able to handle high-stress situations and maintain composure while working with clients. The role demands strong emotional resilience and the ability to provide support & care in a challenging and dynamic environment
• Interest & proficiency in working with children & youth in diverse communities.
• Have an inclusive, deeply human approach to client’s wellbeing.
• Ability to convey legal arguments logically and effectively in oral & written form.
• A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required while working for Children’s Law Center.

Perks + Benefits Employees of CLC Enjoy:

Health + Wellbeing

• 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 *

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/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

About CLC

CLC is the largest children's legal services organization in the nation, advocating for tens of thousands of children and youth in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County foster care systems. We are a powerful voice for our clients, fighting in and out of the courtroom for family reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health and mental health services, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being. We want all of California’s children to have the support they need to succeed. We work to accomplish this goal through direct legal representation for children, multidisciplinary advocacy and support, and public policy.

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] further assistance regarding job postings.

Salary Description

$88,510 - $118,946