Staff Attorney (LGBTQ+ Justice Program)
About the role
The LGBTQ+ Justice Program Staff Attorney at California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA's priority areas of employment, public benefits, education, and leadership development, with a focus on serving LGBTQ+ communities.
Responsibilities
- Provide legal services (advice, negotiation, litigation & administrative advocacy) to low-income client communities with a special focus on LGBTQ+ communities in accordance with program priorities and case handling policies.
- Review and supervise the work product of LGBTQ+ Justice Program Community Workers and Clerical support staff relating to all clients being advised or represented by them.
- Undertake significant statewide impact activity, including institutional and group litigation or community economic development beneficial to the low-income LGBTQ+ communities.
- Develop leadership in working with LGBTQ+ communities, clients and other advocacy groups related to statewide impact issues.
- Advocate in legislative, administrative, and regulatory forums, as permissible.
- Prepare and provide community education regarding legal rights.
- Provide training on cultural humility and sensitivity to agencies and service providers on serving LGBTQ+ communities.
- Provide training and subject matter expertise internally to CRLA advocates on serving LGBTQ+ communities.
- Collaborate with members of the private bar as necessary.
- Maintain contemporaneous time records in case management system.
- Work to develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and acts as a resource for other staff through participation in at least one CRLA task force.
- Maintain great working relationship with staff.
Requirements
- Admitted to practice law in the State of CA or willing to take the next CA Bar Exam.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Able to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
- Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.
- Willingness to work some evenings and weekends, and to travel regionally.
Preferred
- Experience working with LGBTQ+ communities.
- Experience working with low-income families and communities.
- Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
- Bilingual (English & Spanish).
Qualifications
- Admitted to practice law in the State of CA or willing to take the next CA Bar Exam.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Able to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
- Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.
- Willingness to work some evenings and weekends, and to travel regionally.
Skills
- Strong legal advocacy skills.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse communities.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Knowledge of LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
Benefits
Compensation & Benefits: Competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Some professional dues are paid by CRLA (Bar Fees) and, if qualified, up to $8,000 law school Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program (LRAP). Generous paid leave policy which includes; 15 days of sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA). This is a union position (Legal Service Workers for Rural California "LSWRC"), and the salary ranges from (Staff Attorney: $73,000-$104,000) depending on each year of admission to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction and any relevant law-related work experience prior to being admitted to practice law. CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.