Full-Time Staff Attorney - Family Law Unit (Hybrid - Must Reside in Southern California)

Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low-income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, Public Law Center staff and volunteers provided over 65,000 hours of free legal services in handling over 4,500 cases benefiting low-income children, adults and seniors. The estimated value of this work is roughly $60 million in just the past three years. Services include counseling, individual representation, community education, strategic policy advocacy, and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.

About the Role

The Public Law Center (PLC)'s Family Law Unit seeks an energetic, passionate advocate to assist low-income individuals in Orange County by providing advice and counsel on family law matters received through phone calls, partner referrals, or clinics; preparing court forms; and representing litigants in limited scope. The Unit provides high-quality direct legal services in family law cases involving restraining orders, divorces, child custody and visitation, guardianship, and other family law issues. The Unit also participates in community education, community-based clinics, and some local and statewide advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed legal services and carry a caseload involving calls, clinics, and legal representation to low-income litigants in family law matters including but not limited to restraining orders, divorces, parentage cases, child custody and visitation, and child or spousal support
• Proficiently and competently assist litigants in both the English and Spanish languages
• Coordinate referrals to other PLC units to provide comprehensive legal services
• Investigate clients' rights, responsibilities, and remedies, including obtaining and reviewing state court documents and records
• Represent PLC at networking and community outreach events
• Full-time position with occasional evening and weekend work required
• Attend meetings, clinics, and court appearances, both remote and in person, in and outside the Public Law Center's offices; must be located in Southern California with ability to work at the organization's offices in Santa Ana, CA, and travel to work sites throughout Orange County, CA
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Active membership in the California State Bar or eligibility to practice under State Bar Multijurisdictional Practice Program required
• Bilingual English/Spanish required
• 1-2 years experience; prior experience with family law, including as a paralegal, a strong preference
• Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income communities and/or individuals who have experienced interpersonal violence or trauma
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, and work independently and as part of a team
• Must have reliable transportation; travel throughout Orange County will be necessary

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation is $70,000 – $95,000 annually (salary scale is calculated according to years of attorney experience).

• Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance (100% of employee premium costs for most plans paid by PLC, and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs paid by PLC)
• Flexible Spending Account Program to help pay for medical expenses and childcare costs
• 18-20 paid holidays including the office shutdown between December 24 and early January
• 21 paid sick/wellness days per year to promote mental wellness and general wellbeing
• 15 paid vacation days per year (with more added for each year at PLC)
• Birthday paid time off (2 hours of paid time off during birthday month)
• 403b retirement plan (after 6 months of employment PLC provides a matching contribution equaling 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3-4%, depending on length of employment)
• Monthly stipend to offset Wi-Fi and cell phone costs
• Monthly Bilingual Pay Premium upon scoring a sufficiently high level of an oral and/or written test ($50 for oral premium and $50 for written premium)
• Opportunities for growth and advancement
• Paid CA Bar fees, 1 section membership, and MCLE