ATTORNEY

About the role

The CLC Attorney will have a deeply demonstrated commitment to the legal representation of clients in dependency proceedings in and out of court. Your impact on the mission includes excellence in advocacy, managing multiple caseloads, prioritizing and allocating time and resources effectively, and following office policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain professional effective working relationships with bench officers, courtroom personnel, social workers, attorneys, CASAs & service providers.
• Independently investigate and appropriately direct social work investigators to obtain facts needed to properly assess each case.
• Effectively apply dependency case law, statues & court rules; use effective trial & courtroom presentation skills.
• Use sound case analysis & judgement; effectively negotiate with other counsel.
• Prepare witnesses & apply evidentiary rules & objections.
• Prepare clear, concise and persuasive motions, pleadings, briefs and memorandums of law, as well correspondence & reports as needed by thoroughly researching applicable law.
• Submit documents in a timely manner.
• Engage available resources to properly represent & advocate for our client’s best interest, including but not limited to: Educational resources, Medical providers & Mental health professionals, Regional center resources, Community based services 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 & awareness of cultural differences to effectively communicate & 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 & court orders to ensure that clients receive services in a timely manner.
• Treat clients’ caregivers and family members respectfully.
• Continuous learning: stay informed and adapt to evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.

Requirements

• Maintains 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.
• Can effectively manage multiple caseloads by opening & 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.
• Can prioritize & allocate time and resources effectively.
• Prioritize & allocate time and resources effectively.
• Follows office policies and procedures.
• Experience in dependency law or trial experience preferred.
• Interest & proficiency in working with children & youth in diverse communities.
• Juris Doctor Degree & a member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
• A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required while working for Children’s Law Center.

Qualifications

• Perks + Benefits: Employees of CLC enjoy Health + Wellbeing Employee Assistance Program, Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance), Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan, Generous Parental Leave + Additional Leave Options, Fitness/Wellness Program, Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA, Transit + Parking Benefits, Growth + Development Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years, Flexibility + Additional Paid vacation/sick/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 with CLC 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 with CLC within 30 days of the due date. Must meet eligibility requirements upon open enrollment.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of dependency law and court procedures.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with various stakeholders.
• Proficiency in legal research and writing.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.

Benefits

• Health + Wellbeing Employee Assistance Program.
• Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance).
• Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan.
• Generous Parental Leave + Additional Leave Options.
• Fitness/Wellness Program.
• Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA.
• Transit + Parking Benefits.
• Growth + Development Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.
• Paid vacation/sick/holiday time.

Pay

$88,510 to $137,889 per year

Schedule

Full-time