Staff Attorney (LGBTQ+ Program)
In 2007 CRLA launched its LGBTQ+ Program, which has been nationally recognized for its innovative approaches and positive impact. The LGBTQ+ Program also engages in sustained partnerships with rural community leaders, LGBTQ+ community centers, and other supportive organizations and agencies committed to breaking down barriers that cause entrenched poverty. The LGBTQ+ Staff Attorney is a client advocate in CRLAs statewide advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and is essential in the implementation of its goal to increase access to justice for low-income LGBTQ+ people in rural California.
The LGBTQ+ Program Staff Attorney will help increase access to justice for low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people in rural California, including LGBTQ+ agricultural workers and immigrants. CRLA regularly represents LGBTQ+ clients in a variety of types of legal cases, including education, immigration, employment discrimination, access to gender-affirming care, as well as name and gender marker correction petitions. CRLA provides legal services, community legal education, and leadership development opportunities, builds active, sustained partnerships with rural LGBTQ+ community centers, supportive organizations, and public agencies; and monitors and engages local public entities that directly impact LGBTQ+ communities. The attorney will handle LGBTQ+-related cases and non-legal advocacy projects. This position reports directly to the LGBTQ+ Legal Director. The LGBTQ+ Staff Attorney is based in one of CRLAs Central Valley or Central Coast field offices as a hybrid position or can be a remote position as long as they live within California (office locations available at www.crla.org).
Responsibilities
Direct Legal Services
- Conduct legal intakes for LGBTQ+ clients. Provide brief counsel and advice and full extended services representation for LGBTQ+ clients. The Staff Attorney will assist other CRLA attorneys and community workers on LGBTQ+ related cases.
Impact Advocacy
- The Staff Attorney will assist in systemic advocacy that may include but is not limited to pre-litigation investigations, litigation, regulatory advocacy and amicus briefing, and community partnerships and collaborations.
Community Education/Outreach:
- Work with the LGBTQ+ Legal Director to inform rural LGBTQ+ communities about their civil rights. This work includes developing and revising outreach and community education materials and training curriculums and conducting the outreach and training, including making community presentations and media appearances as required.
Organizational Capacity Building:
- Conduct workshops and write articles regarding the provision of legal services to low-income LGBTQ+ communities to enhance access to quality LGBTQ+ related legal assistance nationally.
- Support efforts to increase and improve LGBTQ+ related services and training opportunities in the larger legal aid community. Cultivate key relationships through outreach and collaboration, and work to increase awareness of the organization.
Leadership Building and Community Support:
- Support local groups engaged in advocacy on behalf of low-income LGBTQ+ communities. The Staff Attorney will foster leadership that is able to effectively engage in intersectional advocacy.
QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES OF OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE
We intend to bring a candidate with as many of the following qualifications and qualities as possible.
- Admission and good standing with the California State Bar or attorney licensed in another state eligible to practice in California under the California Bars Multijurisdictional Practice Program.
- Familiarity with LGBTQ+-related law, education, employment, housing, healthcare, and/or immigration law.
- Oral and written fluency in Spanish and English.
- Excellent legal research and writing skills, with at least 1-3 years of litigation experience preferred.
- Knowledge of and experience serving LGBTQ+, rural, immigrant, and low-income clients.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact constructively with diverse populations and survivors of trauma.
- Ability to engage in intersectional advocacy and to bring the lens of intersectionality to CRLAs work with clients and community partners.
- Community education experience (developing and delivering workshops and presentations).
- Willingness to travel is required. Travel will be 25-50% on average. Travel costs, including mileage, are reimbursed.
- Willingness to work some evenings and weekend days.
- Data analysis and investigation skills or experience.
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.
Position open until filled. To apply, please submit your information, resume, and cover letter via Paycom here. For questions please email CRLA's LGBTQ+ Program at lgbtq@crla.org.