Supervising Attorney
Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc. (MHAS) is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and advance the legal rights of children and adults with mental health disabilities in order to maximize autonomy, promote equality, and secure the resources needed to thrive in the community. MHAS assists both children and adults, with an emphasis on obtaining government benefits and services, protecting rights, and fighting discrimination. MHAS also serves as a resource to the community by providing training and technical assistance to attorneys, mental health professionals, consumer and family member groups, and other advocates. In addition, MHAS participates in impact litigation in an effort to improve the lives of people with mental health disabilities.
ANNUAL SALARY: Depends on experience.
FRINGE BENEFITS AND WORK CULTURE: Generous fringe benefits include paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; employee health, dental, vision, long term disability, and life insurance; and parking pass and/or Metro card. MHAS is proud of its collegial, family-friendly culture that respects the work/life balance of its employees. To that end, MHAS is willing to consider flexible work schedules on a case-by-case basis. MHAS also provides employees with frequent wellness opportunities, including staff gatherings featuring food, a daily stretch break, and trainings on stress management and mindfulness.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
MHAS seeks to hire a full-time Supervising Attorney to join MHAS’ Senior Leadership Team and oversee 2-3 of the following core projects: MHAS’ participation in the LA County Whole Person Care Medical-Legal Partnership, MHAS’ Homelessness Prevention project, MHAS’ Reentry project, MHAS’ Fair Housing project, and/or MHAS’ Special Education project. Through all of these projects, MHAS provides legal advocacy for and direct legal services to vulnerable clients to ensure they have the resources and support needed to achieve better mental health outcomes and overall well-being.
The ideal candidate will be able to provide substantive legal supervision and guidance to staff attorneys in several of the following subject areas: housing, eviction defense, public benefits, consumer law, special education, tickets and expungement, and health and mental health law.
Other responsibilities will include overseeing legal training and technical assistance provided by our staff attorneys to both staff and clients at our mental health partner agencies. The attorney will also take on such other client and policy work from time to time as deemed appropriate to MHAS’ mission and client goals.
MHAS utilizes a shared leadership model wherein all members of the Senior Leadership Team, including this position, meet regularly to discuss strategies and make decisions about staffing, funding, and programs in order to most effectively fulfill MHAS’ mission.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:
- Supervise 2-3 of MHAS’ projects and ensure that MHAS staff attorneys in these projects provide competent legal assistance to clients through advice and counsel, research and writing, negotiation, and administrative/court advocacy;
- Interview, hire and train staff attorneys, legal fellows, law clerks, and non-attorney advocates;
- Plan, assign, and direct work, regularly evaluate performance, and provide ongoing feedback and teaching;
- Mentor staff attorneys and other non-attorney advocates via regular individual check in meetings and team case review meetings;
- Assist with managing grants including tracking progress towards grant deliverables, drafting reports, and overseeing data collection/analysis;
- Maintain expertise in a broad range of poverty law issues;
- Oversee and, at times, directly provide technical assistance and training to staff and clients at MHAS’ mental health partner agencies; and
- Execute other projects and tasks as identified, related to MHAS’s mission.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- J.D. degree and membership in California State Bar.
- Commitment and sensitivity to the rights of people with mental health disabilities and other vulnerable populations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with attention to detail.
- Excellent supervision skills.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Five + years legal experience strongly preferred.
- Experience advocating on behalf of vulnerable populations.
- Spanish language fluency or proficiency helpful but not required.
Submit the following to info@mhas-la.org (state “Employment Application” in your e-mail subject line):
- Resume; and
- Cover letter describing how applicant meets the minimum and desirable qualifications and discussing applicant’s motivation for seeking the position.
MHAS seeks a candidate who is available to begin work in January, 2020.
View job announcement at http://mhas-la.org/employment-opportunities/
MHAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, mental or physical disability, or any other basis protected by law.