CONTRACT ATTORNEY

Children's Law Center of California; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Company-Sponsored Benefits

Retirement plan with employer match

Parental Leave and additional leave

Fitness/Wellness Program

Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA

Transit + Parking Benefits

Professional development funds

Job summary

Children’s Law Center of California in Sacramento seeks an attorney to advocate for youth in dependency proceedings. The contract role runs from November 2026 through April 2027 with a salary range of $74,169 to $115,545 per year, based on experience.

The successful candidate will manage caseloads, prepare motions, and coordinate with social workers and other legal professionals to provide effective representation. CA Bar admission and a JD are required.

Qualifications

• JD required and CA Bar in good standing.
• Prior dependency-law or trial experience preferred.
• Interest and proficiency in working with diverse children/youth.
• Valid California driver's license, reliable auto and insurance required.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for clients in dependency proceedings in and out of court.
• Prepare motions, pleadings, briefs, and memoranda of law with timely submissions.
• Coordinate with social workers, CASAs, and other legal resources to support clients.
• Maintain professional relationships with bench officers, courtroom staff, and counsel.
• Ensure timely client services following court orders and requests.

Skills

Trial advocacy

Client communication

Case management

Cultural competence

Education

Juris Doctor Degree & California Bar

Job description

Description

POSITION TITLE: ATTORNEY Reports to: Supervising Attorney Salary: $74,169-$115,545/annually (based on experience and qualifications) This is a contract position from November 2026 through April 2027

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.

Your Impact on the Mission – Excellence in Advocacy

1. 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 & service providers.
   • Independently investigating & appropriately directing social work investigators to obtain facts needed to properly assess each case.
   • Effectively applying dependency case law, statutes & court rules; Using effective trial & courtroom presentation skills.
   • Using sound case analysis & judgement; Effectively negotiating with other counsel.
   • Prepare witnesses & apply evidentiary rules & objections.
2. Prepares clear, concise and persuasive motions, pleading, briefs and memorandums of law, as well correspondence & reports as needed by thoroughly researching applicable law. Submit documents in a timely manner.
3. Engages available resources to properly represent & advocate for our client’s best interest, including but not limited to:
   • Educational resources,
   • Medical providers & Mental health professionals,
   • Regional center resources,
   • Community based services 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.
4. Demonstrate sensitivity & awareness of cultural differences to effectively communicate & advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds. Develops professional relationships with and provides sound advice to clients using frequent age-appropriate interviews that adhere to ethical standards. Follows up on client requests & court orders to ensure that clients receive services in a timely manner.
5. Treat clients’ caregivers and family members respectfully.
6. 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

1. Maintains 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,
• Ability to seek assistance from supervisors when prudent or required.

2. Can effectively manage multiple caseloads by:

• Opening & closing files in a timely manner, and meeting deadlines
• Ability to complete 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,
• Maintaining an accurate calendar of upcoming hearings for each case.

3. Can prioritize & allocate time and resources effectively

4. Can follow office policies and procedures

5. Prior experience in dependency law or trial experience preferred.

6. Interest & proficiency in working with children & youth in diverse communities.

7. Juris Doctor Degree & a member in good standing of the State Bar of California.

8. 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 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.

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.