Atorney Self Help Legal Access Center)
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) is the frontline law firm for low-income people in Los Angeles and is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney. LAFLA seeks to achieve equal justice for poor and low-income people in greater Los Angeles. We change lives through direct representation, systems change, and community education.
The Organization: LAFLA (www.LAFLA.org) is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved – leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people in civil legal matters by providing direct legal representation and other legal assistance for low-income people across the Greater Los Angeles region. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA has over 100 employees with over 70 attorneys. LAFLA operates five neighborhood offices and several off-site locations. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org
The Self-Help Centers are free walk-in clinics created to help people help themselves. We offer workshops, legal forms and information to individuals seeking legal recourse without a lawyer. The Centers do not provide individual legal advice or representation. Instead, they are resource Centers with information, legal forms and books, and staff will be available to guide an individual through the judicial process and to assist litigants in completing legal forms. The Centers are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
*NOTE – This position is part of a special program created using designated funds: there is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond December 2020.
- Active membership in the California State Bar;
- One to five years experience in the practice of law, including demonstrated experience and competence in
advocacy, civil litigation and other lawyering skills;
- Knowledge of the poverty community and the issues affecting that community;
- Demonstrated knowledge of landlord tenant or family law;
- Ability to deal with people tactfully and effectively;
- Bilingual in Spanish or Asian language preferred; and
- Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.0 hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
- Staff a court-based center providing assistance to self-represented litigants;
- Conduct workshops and provide legal information and assistance in preparing proper court forms to self-represented persons in cases involving landlord tenant law, family law and consumer law;
- Participate in and support LAFLA and other legal services task forces involved in issues affecting the working poor;
- Work closely and in coordination with court personnel, Justice Corps staff, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles, and staff of other Self-Help Centers;
- In conjunction with the LAFLA Pro Bono Director and Self-Help Managing Attorney, recruit, train and supervise volunteer attorneys, law students, Justice Corps students, and community volunteers;
- Frequently conduct outreach events, clinics, seminars, workshops and trainings off-site for the purpose of litigant education and volunteer recruitment;
- Must regularly travel to and assist at other LAFLA Self Help Centers as needed in order to provide center staff coverage; and
- Responsible for administrative duties for the Self-Help Access Centers.
HOW TO APPLY -Please submit a cover letter and resume online to jobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney-Self Help” in the subject line.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD - A one-year probationary period will be required.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.