Staff Attorney (Central Coast Homeless Prevention Collaborative) Hybrid
WHO WE ARE: Founded in 1966, CRLA's 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, indigenous populations, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBTQ+ communities, women, children, and low-income families in rural areas.
- Position: Staff Attorney
- Experience: 6+ months
- Application Deadline: Open until filled
- Location: San Luis Obispo, Hybrid
- Other: FLSA Exempt, Full Time, Union Position
The Staff Attorney joins an innovative undertaking for CRLA and contributes to CRLA’s efforts to address rural California’s housing crisis. This position will work with the five (5) Central Coast field offices and CRLA’s Central Coast Homeless Prevention Collaborative.
CRLA’s Central Coast Homeless Prevention Collaboration Project (‘Project’) will provide wrap-around legal services to low-income individuals facing eviction, housing insecurity, substandard housing conditions, or other barriers to housing throughout the Central Coast region of California, comprised of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.
Reporting to the Directing Attorney, the Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA priority areas in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services, and the Code of Professional Responsibility. Funding for this position is through 12/27/2024, with the expectation that continued funding will be awarded.
Responsibilities:
- Perform initial screening for eligibility; interview applicants to determine their legal problem's nature and identify the type of legal assistance being sought.
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Provide legal services (advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative advocacy) to low-income clients in housing matters, including but not limited to:
- Unlawful Detainer Defense
- Landlord/Tenant Disputes
- Public Housing Administrative Matters
- Assist clients with housing matters via a multi-office and multi-organization collaborative.
- Represent clients in court in multiple jurisdictions and maintain familiarity with varying jurisdiction practices and local rules.
- Review and supervise the work product of Community Workers and Support Staff relating to all clients being advised or represented by the Project staff.
- Develop leadership in working with the community, clients, and other advocacy groups related to homeless prevention and housing stability impact issues.
- Participate in training, case reviews, staff meetings, and other CRLA activities.
- Prepare and provide community education regarding legal issues related to housing stability, including housing and income maintenance.
- Collaborate with members of the private bar as necessary.
- Maintain contemporaneous time records and client case records in the case management system.
- Maintain a great working relationship with all staff.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS & QUALITIES of our ideal candidate: We intend to bring a candidate with as many of the following qualifications and qualities as possible.
Required Education and Experience:
- Admitted to practice law in the State of CA, eligible for California’s Provisionally Licensed Lawyer program, or before the court of any state and willing to take the next CA bar.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Able to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
- Good people skills, empathy, patience, and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.
- Applicant must have the ability to perform all of the above duties.
Preferred Education and Experience:
A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:
- Experience working with low-income families and communities.
- Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
- Prior experience in legal services.
- Additional language ability relevant to the primary communities served.
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
Compensation & Benefits:
We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Some professional dues are paid by CRLA (Bar Fees) and, if qualified, up to $6,000 law school Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program (LRAP). Generous paid leave policy which includes; 15 days of sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA). This is a union position (Legal Service Workers for Rural California "LSWRC"), and the salary ranges from (Staff Attorney: $65,500-$90,000) depending on each year of admission to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction and any relevant law-related work experience prior to being admitted to practice law.
CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.
CRLA invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.
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.