Staff Attorney-Family Law Program

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 77,250 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance

401K retirement plan with employer match

15 days paid annual leave

Job summary

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program is seeking a Staff Attorney for their Family Law Program. The attorney will provide legal advice for low-income San Diegans in family law issues including custody and domestic violence cases. This role requires strong mentorship, communication skills, and community engagement to assist vulnerable populations.

The position offers a hybrid work environment and a benefits package including a salary range of $77,250 – $82,000, health insurance, and paid leave. Join our commitment to equal access to justice.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• A demonstrated commitment to serving low-income and disadvantaged people is required.
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments accurately.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and representation in family law matters.
• Mentor and train pro bono attorneys.
• Engage in community outreach for client recruitment.

Skills

Written communication skills

Verbal communication skills

Mentorship skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Spanish proficiency

Education

Member in good standing of the California Bar

1-2 years of family law experience (preferred)

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1983, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, Inc. (SDVLP) is the oldest and most comprehensive pro bono legal services program in San Diego County. SDVLP’s mission is to provide equal access to the justice system by serving as a bridge between indigent and other disadvantaged people in San Diego County and the volunteer lawyers who are willing to donate their time and resources. Our team of talented and passionate employees is collegial, supportive, and committed to providing top-quality legal services to indigent, vulnerable San Diegans.

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY

The Staff Attorney for SDVLP’s Family Law Program provides top-quality legal advice and representation to low-income San Diegans in a variety of family law matters, including domestic violence, child custody, and divorce cases. The Staff Attorney will also work closely with SDVLP’s Pro Bono team to recruit pro bono attorneys and place clients with attorneys for pro bono representation. In addition, the Staff Attorney will be responsible for performing community outreach and legal education and supervising the work of non-attorney staff.

Our family law programs include the Vision for Justice Collaborative, which provides family law assistance to immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence, the Domestic Violence Restraining Order Program, and the Shriver Program, which provides legal assistance to low-income San Diegans in child custody and domestic violence cases.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Advising clients, including preparing self‑represented litigants for custody and domestic violence restraining order hearings.
• Providing services remotely, in‑person and at court‑based custody and domestic violence clinics.
• Mentoring, training, and supervising pro bono attorneys.
• Recruiting new pro bono attorney volunteers through community outreach and attendance at networking events.
• Developing and maintaining written training materials for pro bono attorneys.
• Managing custody and domestic violence restraining order cases.
• Maintaining knowledge of other legal services programs to provide targeted referrals for issues outside the scope of SDVLP programs.
• Training and supervising non‑attorney staff.
• Managing and compiling statistical data and assisting with the drafting of narrative reports to funding sources.
• Engaging in other tasks and projects as needed to further SDVLP’s mission.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid rotation, requiring ability to work on site a minimum of 2-3 days per week; minimum 37.50‑hour work week.
• No billable hours requirement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent mentorship and teaching skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to successfully work as part of a team and with the public, volunteers, court personnel, government agencies, and partner organizations.
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with accuracy and minimal direction.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required by events and deadlines.
• Excellent Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving low‑income and disadvantaged people.
• Ability to travel to court hearings and SDVLP’s other offices throughout San Diego County, as necessary.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• 1‑2 years of family law experience, preferred.
• Spanish written and speaking ability, preferred.

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Salary range: $77,250.00 – $82,000.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance.
• 401K retirement plan with employer match after 6 months of employment.
• 15 days paid annual leave (increases to 20 days after 2 years), 10 days paid sick leave, 16 paid holidays and other time‑off programs.
• SDVLP is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

SDVLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.