Staff Attorney (Santa Monica Workgroup)
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) is the frontline law firm for low-income people in Los Angeles and is currently accepting applications for the position of Staff Attorney. LAFLA seeks to achieve equal justice for poor and low-income people in greater Los Angeles. We change lives through direct representation, systems change, and community education.
The Organization: LAFLA (www.LAFLA.org) is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved – leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people in civil legal matters by providing direct legal representation and other legal assistance for low-income people across the Greater Los Angeles region. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA has over 100 employees with over 70 attorneys. LAFLA operates five neighborhood offices and several off-site locations. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.
The Santa Monica Workgroup: LAFLA’s Santa Monica Workgroup is a community office assisting residents primarily in the areas of housing, public benefits, and domestic violence and family advocacy. We often coordinate our advocacy with other non-profits, community-based organizations, and local government agencies to help our clients gain the best results through a holistic model of community advocacy. Each attorney is expected to maintain an appropriate caseload of various direct services, as well as participate in the myriad clinics provided by the workgroup.
- Active membership in the California State Bar, prefer three to five years experience;
- Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income persons;
- Litigation experience preferred;
- Knowledge of one or more of the following areas: landlord-tenant, government benefits programs, and/or family law and domestic violence.
- Demonstrated ability to function professionally and effectively within a highly stressful environment;
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
- Interest in learning new areas of law;
- Ability to work effectively with government agencies, staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, and community members;
- Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.0 hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate.
- Interview and counsel clients affected by problems facing low income people, such as access to benefits, eviction cases, and domestic violence;
- Evaluate and potentially litigate issues on behalf of clients in any of the above areas;
- Participate in clinics and other community outreach projects, including weekly housing night clinics and the domestic violence clinic; and
- Other duties as assigned.
Please submit a cover letter and resume online to jobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney – Santa Monica” in the subject line.
Probationary Period: A one-year probationary period will be required.
An Equal Opportunity Employer: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.