Staff Attorney
Central California Legal Services provides high quality legal services to indigent residents across six counties in California’s central San Joaquin Valley, the richest agricultural region in the country, and also the region with the highest level of concentrated poverty. CCLS’s service area is an epicenter of inequality in California. The San Joaquin Valley suffers from some of the highest unemployment rates in the state, and CCLS’s clients live in chronically substandard housing conditions unthinkable in other parts of California. CCLS is committed to aggressive legal advocacy that will change the systems that breed the poverty that lies at the root of our clients’ legal problems.
Provide high quality legal services, from advice and brief services to full representation; actively collaborate with community groups and nonprofits to devise solutions to problems of poverty in our client communities; and foster a productive relationship with other CCLS staff, the courts, public agencies, and community groups. A commitment to impact litigation as part of a holistic and collaborative advocacy strategy is essential.
Responsibilities:
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Work with CCLS advocates to ensure delivery of high quality legal representation to clients consistent with CCLS program priorities.
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Develop and maintain relationships with client groups and community-based service providers, and work with them to identify community lawyering opportunities.
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Identify and analyze systemic issues through individual and impact casework.
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Participate in planning and strategy meetings with project partners and statewide networks of Legal Aid advocates
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Participate in weekly CCLS case review meetings, keep abreast of changes in the law, including continuing legal education, and adhere to CCLS policies and procedures.
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Other duties as assigned.
SALARY/BENEFITS: Salary DOE; benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance coverage; employer contribution to 403(b) plan based on length of service; 14.5 paid holidays; generous vacation and sick leave policy; some professional dues paid by CCLS; if qualified, participation in the School Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program, and/or a Bilingual Supplement.
Qualifications:
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Member in good standing of the State Bar of California; or, eligible to practice under the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program and California Bar admission within twelve months of hire;
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Experience working with low-income clients, collaborating effectively with diverse groups of individuals and organizations, and connecting and strategizing with local community leaders;
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Previous Legal Aid or other non-profit legal services experience desirable;
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Bilingual ability strongly preferred (Hmong/English or Spanish/English);
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Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
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Comfortable working under pressure, on a team or independently, passionate about the work, inquisitive, and analytical; and
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Ability to travel as needed, proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.
Please e-mail cover letter, résumé, and three references along with a legal writing sample
to: Manuel Romero, Director of Administration mromero@centralcallegal.org
CCLS is an equal opportunity employer: we value equity, inclusion, and diversity, across all races, cultures, classes, ages, religions, gender identities and presentations, sexual orientations, body sizes, family structures, abilities, and all categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply.