ATTORNEY

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $88,510-$137,889/annually (based on experience and qualifications)

About the Role

Our CLC Attorney will have a deeply demonstrated commitment to the legal representation of clients in dependency proceedings in and out of court.

Responsibilities

• Maintain professional, effective working relationships with bench officers, courtroom personnel, social workers, attorneys, CASAs, and service providers.
• Independently investigate and appropriately direct social work investigators to obtain facts needed to properly assess each case.
• Effectively apply dependency case law, statutes, and court rules.
• Use effective trial and courtroom presentation skills, sound case analysis, and judgment.
• Effectively negotiate with other counsel.
• Prepare witnesses and apply evidentiary rules and objections.
• Prepare clear, concise, and persuasive motions, pleadings, briefs, memorandums of law, correspondence, and reports by thoroughly researching applicable law; submit documents in a timely manner.
• Engage available resources to properly represent and advocate for our client’s best interest, including but not limited to:
  • Educational resources
  • Medical providers and mental health professionals
  • Regional center resources
  • Community-based service providers
  • Other legal experts or consultants, such as Legal Aid, Public Counsel, Alliance for Children’s Rights, etc.
  • Public Defenders in Delinquency Court and Department 95
• Demonstrate sensitivity and awareness of cultural differences to effectively communicate and advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Develop professional relationships with and provide sound advice to clients using frequent age-appropriate interviews that adhere to ethical standards.
• Follow up on client requests and court orders to ensure that clients receive services in a timely manner.
• Treat clients’ caregivers and family members respectfully.
• Stay informed and adapt to evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.
• Maintain professional relationships with all CLC coworkers through:
  • Collaboration with attorneys, supervisors, and CLC leadership
  • Demonstrating respect for support staff
  • Expressing flexibility and willingness to assist with coverage in other courtrooms
  • Mentorship and being a role model for less experienced attorneys
  • Ability to seek assistance from supervisors when prudent or required
• Effectively manage multiple caseloads by:
  • Opening and closing files in a timely manner and meeting deadlines
  • Completing all appropriate office reports in a timely manner, including timesheets, case counts, and conflict reports
  • Maintaining files in an orderly manner according to office policy
  • Properly documenting court proceedings, contacts, and case developments
  • Maintaining an accurate calendar of upcoming hearings for each case
• Prioritize and allocate time and resources effectively.
• Follow office policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor Degree and a member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
• Prior experience in dependency law or trial experience preferred.
• Interest and proficiency in working with children and youth in diverse communities.
• A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program
• Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance)
• Up to 6% employer-matched retirement plan
• Generous Parental Leave and additional leave options
• Fitness/Wellness Program
• Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSA
• Transit and Parking Benefits
• Durfee Professional Development funds available for all employees in good standing who have been with CLC for at least two years
• Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)
• Paid vacation, sick, and holiday time
• CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys actively employed on the date bar dues are owed and who have no known plans to end employment within 30 days of the due date. CLC will also pay bar dues for new admittees who are actively employed on their initial payment due date and have no known plans to end employment within 30 days of the due date.

About CLC

CLC is the largest children's legal services organization in the nation, advocating for tens of thousands of children and youth in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County foster care systems. We are a powerful voice for our clients, fighting in and out of the courtroom for family reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health and mental health services, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being. We want all of California’s children to have the support they need to succeed. We work to accomplish this goal through direct legal representation for children, multidisciplinary advocacy and support, and public policy.