Staff Attorney (Pro Bono - Appellate Practice & Access to Justice)

Spirit League; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental and vision

Paid time off

Parking or transit

Job summary

Public Counsel in Los Angeles seeks a Staff Attorney to support appellate strategies, lead an on-site appellate self‑help clinic, and expand pro bono opportunities. Reporting to the Director of Pro Bono, you will collaborate with legal teams, manage volunteer programs, and use AI tools to enhance services for self‑represented litigants.

The role requires at least 5 years of legal experience, a JD, and CA Bar admission, with strong research, writing, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Requires Juris Doctor and CA Bar admission.
• Experience delivering legal services to self-represented litigants preferred.
• Strong research and writing skills with appellate practice knowledge.
• Interest in using AI and technology in appellate matters is desirable.
• Experience supervising volunteers and managing pro bono partnerships preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support appellate strategies across the organization, including brief writing and oral argument.
• Lead appellate self-help clinic, on-site at the Court of Appeal in downtown LA, three days/week.
• Expand pro bono opportunities by building relationships with law firms and practitioners.
• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers for clinic operations and self‑represented litigants resources.
• Utilize AI and technology to enhance clinic services and accessibility to appellate resources.
• Manage grants and reporting; pursue additional funding opportunities.

Skills

Appellate strategy

Legal research

Legal writing

Volunteer management

Spanish language

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission - CA

Tools

AI tools in law

Job description

ABOUT PUBLIC COUNSEL

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.

ABOUT THE PRO BONO TEAM

Public Counsel’s Pro Bono Team develops and leads programs that leverage the skills and resources of law firms, corporate legal departments, individual attorneys, law students, and other volunteers to expand access to justice. The team focuses particularly on areas of unmet legal need where well-designed pro bono partnerships can increase the number of people served, strengthen existing legal services, support impact litigation, systemic and policy advocacy, and create sustainable models for delivering assistance. Working across Public Counsel and with external partners, the team helps identify opportunities to strategically integrate pro bono into the organization’s work and develops volunteer opportunities ranging from limited-scope clinics and discrete programs to full-scope representation, impact litigation support, and other service models. The team also builds organization-wide infrastructure for effective volunteer engagement, including partnerships, trainings, resources, technology, and systems for recruiting, supporting, and retaining volunteers.

JOB SUMMARY

The Staff Attorney will collaborate with Public Counsel’s legal teams to support appellate strategies, including brief writing and oral argument; lead Public Counsel’s appellate self-help clinic, which will be a primary focus of the position and is expected to operate on-site at the Court of Appeal approximately three days per week in downtown Los Angeles, with additional remote services; and support the Pro Bono Team’s efforts to strengthen and expand pro bono opportunities across the organization. Reporting to the Director of Pro Bono, the Staff Attorney will:

• Collaborate with Public Counsel’s legal teams to support appellate strategies across the organization, including direct appellate advocacy, drafting briefs, and presenting oral arguments on writs, appeals, and amicus briefs in state and federal courts
• Manage the provision of appellate self‑help services at the California Second District Court of Appeal in downtown Los Angeles, which is expected to operate on‑site three days per week, with a goal of expanding services to other appellate districts
• Assist the Director of Pro Bono in expanding the program’s volunteer network and developing relationships with law firms, appellate practitioners, technology experts, and other pro bono partners
• Recruit, engage, train, and supervise volunteers to support clinic operations and to develop resources, including self‑help materials, trainings, templates, and other tools for self‑represented litigants
• Train and supervise volunteers providing limited guidance to self‑represented litigants, including on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology tools in appellate matters
• Coordinate and supervise volunteer review of draft appellate briefs and identify matters suitable for more extended pro bono representation, as appropriate
• Utilize and manage AI and other technology tools to enhance clinic services, improve efficiency, and expand access to appellate resources
• Manage existing grants, including tracking deliverables and reporting requirements, and assist the Director of Pro Bono in pursuing additional funding opportunities for appellate and access to justice initiatives
• Contribute to Public Counsel as a whole by participating in organization‑wide activities, including integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion policies into our work and workplace
• Represent Public Counsel in external meetings and events, as appropriate
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• At least 5 years of legal experience
• Juris Doctor degree and a member in good standing of the California State Bar
• Experience managing the delivery of legal services to self‑represented litigants is preferred
• Interest in utilizing AI and other legal technology tools, with willingness to develop expertise
• Experience engaging and supporting pro bono attorneys, law firms, or other volunteer partners preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Ability to work both independently and in teams
• Experience in and knowledge of appellate procedure and practice is strongly preferred; candidates seeking to develop appellate expertise are encouraged to apply
• Certified Appellate Specialists preferred
• Demonstrated interest in public interest work preferred
• Experience supervising volunteers preferred
• Commitment to economic and racial justice, including participating in and advancing equity and inclusion work at Public Counsel
• High levels of emotional intelligence, maturity and cultural competency, including being curious, self‑aware, cognizant of bias, empathetic, patient, and willing to listen, and having a growth and open mindset
• Exempt employees are expected to work a minimum of 37.5 hours per week and must work all additional time necessary to accomplish job duties in a timely and professional manner. They must be flexible in work hours so as to provide superior quality and timely service to clients consistent with the position and professional responsibility obligations.
• Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in Spanish is a plus

JOB TYPE AND BENEFITS

• Full-time/exempt
• Salary range for an attorney with 5–21 years of experience is $84,800–$124,384, depending upon years of experience.
• Bargaining
• Probationary period: 9 months
• Fixed‑duration position funded until December 31, 2027. This position is created with designated funds through December 31, 2027. Continued employment past this date is contingent on additional funding for the position.
• Professional growth opportunities:
  • Direct mentorship from experienced appellate practitioners within Public Counsel and our network
  • Support for obtaining California State Bar Certified Appellate Specialist designation
  • Exposure to a diverse range of appellate matters across consumer rights, civil rights, housing, immigrants’ rights, and education equity
  • Collaboration with leading pro bono attorneys from major law firms on complex appellate matters
• Public Counsel offers a competitive benefits package including:
  • Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer‑paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy‑up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage
  • Dental and vision coverage
  • Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
  • Employer‑paid life insurance and disability plans
• Generous paid time off (per year):
  • 15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
  • 12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs
  • 2 personal observance days
  • 11 paid holidays plus 2 one‑week office closures (during the summer and winter)
  • Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)
• Additional benefits:
  • 403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution
  • Free on‑site parking or public transportation reimbursement
  • $45 per pay period for employees who use non‑English language skills to perform work duties
  • Up to 6 months of parental leave
  • Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
  • Professional development support and opportunities
  • Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications (state bar dues for attorneys) and for a mutually agreed‑upon professional organization
  • Centrally located headquarters in the heart of Koreatown, a vibrant neighborhood with easy access to public transportation, diverse dining options, and cultural attractions

PUBLIC COUNSEL VACCINATION POLICY AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Public Counsel requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees, including new hires. Pursuant to federal and state laws, Public Counsel will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship.

PUBLIC COUNSEL EEO POLICY

Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or prospective employees on the basis of union membership or activity, race, religious creed, religious observance, ethnicity, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or predisposition, military service, military and veteran status, pregnancy, child birth and related medical conditions, marital and family status, national origin, ancestry, age, medical conditions as defined by state or federal law, or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

All qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Our leadership team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, discipline, discharge and general treatment during employment.