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(267) 277-3404 (phone)

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Staff Attorney (Health)

Description: 

Who We Are

 

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley advances the rights of historically excluded individuals and families across Santa Clara County through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach. We serve over 10,000 individuals and families each year through our housing, health, and children and youth programs. Our attorneys, social workers, and advocates use legal advocacy as a tool for social change by crafting inventive solutions to the legal issues facing low-income people in our region.

 

With over 90 employees, the Law Foundation is the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. We pride ourselves on fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative, and fun, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth. We are working towards a Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)-centered legal services practice that incorporates community and movement lawyering.

 

What You'll Do

 

Our Health Program provides free legal advice and representation to individuals living in Santa Clara County who identify as having mental health, developmental disabilities and/or HIV/AIDS. We listen to, advise, and advocate for our clients to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are protected. The Law Foundation seeks to hire a Health Staff Attorney to manage a caseload of direct services clients, impact litigation, and advocacy.

 

Primary Duties

 

• Provide legal advocacy and representation to individuals living with mental health, developmental disabilities, and other chronic health issues associated with poverty

• Represent and advise clients on social security appeals and other public benefits cases

• Represent clients in psychiatric facilities in civil commitment hearings and capacity hearings

• Monitor mental health facilities for compliance with patients’ rights laws

• Develop cases and engage in relevant pre-litigation related to pressing health equity issues

• Plan and deliver trainings, education, and outreach on topics such as economic benefits, mental health patients’ rights, and other legal issues

• Participate in community-based advocacy, coalitions, and legislative efforts

• Represent clients in cases originating from organization’s Medical-Legal Partnership clinic with the Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center

• Perform administrative tasks such as data entry of case information 

• Provide technical assistance, training, and outreach to mental health providers, consumers and community members

• Participate in Law Foundation activities, such as program meetings, special events, and fundraisers

• Advance the Law Foundation’s race, equity, and inclusion (REI) goals and values

• Contribute regularly to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences 

 

Who You Are

 

• Deeply committed to and passionate about the vision and mission of the Law Foundation

• Have California Bar Membership, or are otherwise eligible to practice law in California with 2-3 years of experience (preferred)

• Have prior experience or a general understanding of public benefits programs

• Connected to, and experience working with diverse populations, including communities of color, multi-ethnic communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, transgender individuals, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and/ or mental health disabilities, persons experiencing homelessness, persons living with chronic health conditions correlated with poverty, persons actively using drugs, and persons currently or formerly involved in the criminal legal system

• Able to develop and conduct effective oral presentations

• Able to negotiate solutions to problems between clients and other parties

• Able to analyze, write, and present ideas and legal concepts clearly and concisely

• Able to represent clients on a case from beginning to end

• Able to work sensitively and productively to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems

• Passionate and able to thoughtfully contribute to conversations and work regarding civil rights, social justice, race equity, and social determinants of health

• Experience in community-driven advocacy, policy advocacy, and/or impact litigation

• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills

• Able to work independently and effectively work as a part of a team

• Excellent time and caseload management skills

• Have a valid driver’s license or other reliable transportation

• Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office Suite

• Bilingual in English and Spanish or Vietnamese (preferred) 

 

What We Offer

 

Salary scale for this position is $70,000 - $98,000/yr based upon bar admission date and comparable experience. All compensation is determined by the wage table of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and the Law Foundation. 

 

Excellent benefits are provided including:

• 19 paid holidays per year

• 3-5 weeks of vacation per year

• 12 days of sick leave per year

• Up to 6 months of parental leave

• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums

• A robust Employee Assistance Program that includes free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents

• A 401(k)-retirement plan. Employer contributions after the first year of employment.

• 2 weeks of paid educational leave for those scheduled to take the California Bar Examination

• A sabbatical after 5 years of employment

• An annual budget for professional development

• An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job

• The option to work a hybrid schedule (candidates must be available to commute to the office, field work, or hearings 2+ days per week) 

 

Information

Submission Deadline: 
January 4, 2023
Organization Information: 
Law Foundation of Silicon Valley
4 North 2nd Street
San Jose, CA 95113
United States
Phone: 408-893-2743