Attorney (Economic Stability Workgroup - Employment Barrier Removal Project)*
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
*NOTE – This position is part of a special program created using designated funds. There is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond September 2021.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Active membership in the California State Bar with a minimum of one to two years’ experience;
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income people;
• Experience in providing re-entry legal services such as criminal record clearing, post-conviction sentence reduction, driver’s license reinstatement, citation defense;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal, organizational and negotiation skills and the ability to work as a team member;
• Previous public interest experience 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:
• Conduct extensive interviews with potential or retained clients with criminal justice involvement;
• Provide direct representation to remove barriers to employment. Legal issues will include drivers’ license reinstatement, sentence reduction, and eligible criminal record expungement;
• Manage an independent caseload which includes developing case plans, conducting discovery, legal research, and representation in administrative, traffic or civil courts;
• Work collaboratively with employment specialists from partner employment agency to screen potential clients; and
• Do outreach to and collaborate with organizations serving unemployed and underemployed individuals, including employment training centers and other employment organizations to facilitate the creation and sustainment of a network of partners capable of providing supplemental employment services to clients.
HOW TO APPLY -Please submit a cover letter and resume online to jobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney- ESWG Employment Barrier Removal Project” 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.