Attorney- Veterans Justice Center (Veterans Of Color Advocacy Project)
Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!
The Organization: LAFLA 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. With more than 90 years of service, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 180 employees, including more than 90 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. 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 also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.
The Position: The position will provide legal assistance to justice involved veterans. It will require working collaboratively with community-based organizations and volunteers to provide record clearing services to veterans. The position will also require supervision of volunteers in a clinic setting including in a pre-clinic phase and a hearing phase.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney.
This position is part of a special program created using designated funds. There is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond October 2024.
Examples of Duties:- Interview, counsel and represent clients on various legal issues including the expungement of criminal records, sentence reduction, citation defense, and other post-conviction/criminal record related work;
- Work collaboratively with and supervise volunteers in a variety of virtual and in-person clinic settings, including those at which record clearing petitions are completed;
- Represent veterans in expungement hearings;
- Create and deliver trainings for volunteers participating in all aspects of the clinic, including participants in the pre-clinic and hearing components of the program;
- Coordinate logistics of virtual clinics;
- Develop tracking tools to help evaluate the effectiveness of the program and assist in preparation of reports related to the same;
- Provide workshops/trainings and other community outreach projects on various relevant legal topics;
- Learn various legal areas to remove clients’ legal barriers to employment; and
- Other duties as assigned.
- Active membership in the California State Bar;
- Some knowledge of criminal justice related barriers to employment such as driver’s license reinstatement is preferred;
- Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income veterans and reentry populations;
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team including other attorneys, support staff, volunteers, and community partners;
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills;
- Ability to work effectively with a large caseload and function professionally within a highly stressful environment; 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.
Please submit a cover letter and resume online to spwgjobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney-VJC” in the subject line.
INTRODUCTORY PERIOD – A one-year introductory 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.
VACCINATION POLICY AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
LAFLA requires all staff, including new hires, to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with the exception of staff who are entitled to a reasonable accommodation due to a medical disability or sincerely held religious belief under the law, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship. Staff will be required to submit proof that you are fully vaccinated upon hire.