Directing Attorney
Who We Are: Founded in 1966, CRLAs mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to tens of thousands of low-income people annually. Our work impacts farmworkers, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBTQ+ communities, women, children, and families in rural areas.
- Position: Directing Attorney
- Experience: Three (3) plus years active civil legal practice
- Application Deadline: Open until filled
- Location: CRLA Oxnard Office
- Term of Employment: Regular, Full-Time
- Other: FLSA Exempt, Non-Union Position
Position Description:
Reporting to the Regional Director of Advocacy, the CRLA Directing Attorney is responsible for the overall provision of legal services to the low-income client community in the service area and the day-to-day operations of the local field office. This includes supervising, training, and motivating local office staff to provide the highest quality legal services in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services, and the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Essential Responsibilities/Duties:
- Maintain an active caseload which consists of State, Federal trial, and appellate work.
- Supervise the activities of local office Staff Attorneys, Community Workers, and Support Staff in providing legal services to low-income clients and groups. Including advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative advocacy in accordance with the CRLA priorities and case handling policies.
- Ensure that staff has accurate, timely, and complete information about the legal issues within the local office’s scope of responsibility, including training in the basic office responsibilities.
- Evaluate staff on an annual basis including the identification of training needs to be incorporated into the office’s six (6) month work plan.
- Cooperate with the Regional Director or the Directors of Litigation, Advocacy, and Training in the implementation of CRLA’s Core Expectations.
- Encourage advocates to develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and to act as a resource for other CRLA staff through participation in at least one CRLA task force.
- Conduct weekly case review meetings to ensure that legal services provided are consistent with CRLA priorities, policies, procedures, and that they maximize CRLA’s resources to provide the highest quality in services.
- Ensure that legal services provided are in compliance with LSC regulations, IOLTA requirements, and the requirements of other CRLA grants.
- Supervise staff in setting up local community education opportunities relating to legal rights and the preparation of materials for such presentations.
- Act as liaison with the local community advisory board including setting up meetings, sending reports to the CRLA Board of Directors, and working with the local board to identify annual office priorities.
- Collaborate and cooperate with Program Directors to advance Program goals and develop special initiatives.
- Cooperate with the Development Department and participate in development efforts as necessary or required.
- Coordinate with the Human Resources Department to ensure staff is effectively hired, managed, and developed.
- Collaborate with the Human Resources Department to ensure that all staff is recruited, hired, managed, and developed in order to maximize both performance and retention.
- Cooperate with the Accounting Department in enforcing fiscally sound office procedures and ensuring a clean annual audit.
- Admitted to practice law before the court of any state.
- Admitted to practice law in the State of California or willing to take the next California Bar Exam.
- Three (3) years minimum experience managing law office and staff
- Three (3) years minimum litigation experience
- Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
- Excellent demonstrated people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.
Preferred Education & Experience:
A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:
- Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
- Spanish fluency or additional language ability relevant to the primary communities.
- Prior experience managing a multi-location organization.
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Compensation & Benefits:
Salary DOE; Generous benefits package includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, and 401(K) retirement plan contribution. Fourteen (14) paid Holidays, generous vacation and sick leave policy, some professional dues paid by CRLA, and if qualified - participation in the School Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program (LRAP).
California Rural Legal Assistance thrives on our diversity and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.