Staff Attorney

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.; Madera (CA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid leave policy

401K retirement plan with contributions

$8,000 law school Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program

Job summary

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. is looking for a Staff Attorney in Madera, CA. The role involves providing legal services to low-income clients and leading community advocacy efforts. The ideal candidate will be admitted to practice law in California or willing to take the next Bar Exam, possess strong communication skills, and have a commitment to serving disadvantaged communities. The position offers a salary range of $73,000 to $104,000 depending on experience, along with comprehensive employee benefits including health insurance and paid leave.

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice law in California or willing to take the next CA Bar Exam.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services to low-income clients, including advice and litigation.
• Supervise Community Workers and Clerical support staff.
• Undertake statewide impact activities beneficial to low-income communities.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Good people skills

Ability to meet deadlines

Attention to detail

Demonstrated commitment to low-income clients

Education

Admitted to practice law in the State of CA

Bilingual (English & Spanish)

Job description

WHO WE ARE

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm that dismantles unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. We work with people priced out of private legal representation so they can uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Through its 17 Rural Justice Centers, communities can access a broad range of legal tools, including direct legal services, place-based advocacy to expand equity in civic institutions, and specialized litigation to advance civil rights.

• Position: Staff Attorney
• Experience: 6+ months
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: Madera, CA
• Other: FLSA Exempt, Full-Time, Union Position

Reporting to the Directing Attorney, the Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA priority areas in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services, and the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Essential Responsibilities/Duties

• Provides legal services to low-income clients and client groups, including advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative advocacy in accordance with program priorities and case-handling policies.
• Reviews and supervises the work product of Community Workers and Clerical support staff relating to all clients being advised or represented by him/her.
• Undertakes significant statewide impact activity, including institutional and group litigation or community economic development beneficial to the low-income community.
• Develops leadership in working with community, client, and other advocacy groups related to statewide impact issues.
• Works to develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and acts as a resource for other staff through participation in at least one CRLA task force.
• Coordinates advocacy in substantive areas through collaboration with other human services providers, non-profit organizations, and community, client, or other advocacy groups.
• Participates in CRLA training programs, local office case reviews or staff meetings, or other CRLA activities as required.
• Provides community education regarding legal rights and prepares materials relating to these presentations.
• Works with members of the private bar as necessary in accordance with CRLA Private Bar Involvement.
• Maintains contemporaneous time records in the CRLA case management system.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all members of the office staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education And Experience

• Admitted to practice law in the State of CA or willing to take the next CA Bar Exam.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Able to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.

Preferred Education And Experience

• Experience working with low-income families and communities.
• Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
• Prior experience in legal services and additional language ability relevant.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish).

Compensation & Benefits: We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Some professional dues are paid by CRLA (Bar Fees) and, if qualified, up to $8,000 law school Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program (LRAP). Generous paid leave policy which includes; 15 days of sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA. This is a union position (Legal Service Workers for Rural California LSWRC), and the salary ranges from Staff Attorney: $73,000-$104,000 depending on each year of admission to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction and any relevant law-related work experience prior to being admitted to practice law.

CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.

California Rural Legal Assistance Inc. thrives on our diversity, and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.