Staff Attorney
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.
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.
RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
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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 casework, reviews of CCLS and other data, and participate in statewide networks of Legal Aid advocates.
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Participate in planning and strategy meetings with project partners.
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Participate in weekly CCLS case review meetings.
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Adhere to CCLS policies and procedures.
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Attend continuing legal education seminars and keep abreast of changes in the law.
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Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:
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Minimum of five years’ experience as an attorney with an active civil litigation caseload, including trial and appellate court litigation experience;
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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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Proven organizational skills, leadership and management skills;
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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;
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Ability to travel as needed, proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used;
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Location: Fresno, Visalia and Merced Offices (as needed)
Term of Employment: Permanent Full Time
Other: FLSA Exempt, Union Position
To Apply: Please e-mail cover letter, résumé, and three references along with a legal writing sample to:
Manuel Romero, Deputy Director Administration
In your cover letter please include information about three representative litigated cases in which you were lead counsel, including the jurisdiction, principal cause of action or issue, court, judge, opposing counsel, whether or not the case went to trial, and whether the trial was to a jury or to the court. Also, please include responses to the following questions:
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Please briefly describe your litigation experience generally, both trial and appellate.
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Please tell us briefly about your experience, if any, doing advocacy work with a low-income community. What skills and qualities did you bring that were important to the effort? What did you learn?
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Please describe your leadership experience, if any.
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Tell us about your connection to the Central Valley: how well do you know it? Do you have ties here? What draws you here?
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Do you have particular interest in being a Legal Aid lawyer? If so, please tell us about that.