Description:

Position: A Free Civil Legal Services to Low-Income Residents seeks an attorney with a strong commitment to public interest, social justice advocacy, and health care access. This position is based in our Oakland office serving clients throughout the Bay Area. HCC staff are currently allowed to work primarily remotely. See below description regarding hybrid work.

As a Health Consumer Center Staff Attorney, you will have the opportunity to:
  • Learn and advocate for the diverse legal needs of communities affected by systemic and structural inequities in the broader Bay Area to reduce homelessness, enhance stability and address social injustice;
  • Represent individuals in all stages of administrative hearings and plan grievance proceedings related to healthcare services and coverage, including negotiating with plans and providers for coverage of services and/or access to treatment;
  • Answer calls during shifts on the health legal advice hotline to provide immediate access/ assistance and address client's needs;
  • Provide workshops and technical assistance to community partners and client community on health access issues and a broad range of civil legal issues;
  • Develop relationships and engage in collaboration with a range of public and private community partners, including governmental agencies, courts, and community-based organizations, to ensure integrative services and address systemic barriers facing BayLegal's client community;
  • Identify and employ impact advocacy strategies to remove systematic barriers to healthcare services and coverage for client populations, including particularly vulnerable groups such as people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, people suffering from chronic conditions, people who have limited English proficiency, older adults, children, low-income people, and pregnant people.
  • Engage in other tasks and projects that further the interest of fostering BayLegal's mission and operations as a non-profit.

Requirements/Qualifications/About the Successful Candidate:
  • Humility in working with colleagues and clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency.
  • Received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered.
  • Successfully clear a live scan background check required by funders given the position involves access to confidential information.
  • Member of CA Bar in good standing or admitted to practice in another state and eligible to practice in California for 3 years under the California State Bar rules for the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program preferred. Candidates who have recently passed the California Bar or will be taking the bar exam at the next sitting are welcome to apply.
  • Willing to be on-site at BayLegal office as needed to support needs of clients and for periodic team meetings and trainings.
  • Language fluency and proficiency in one or more of these languages: Spanish, Tagalog, Korean, Vietnamese, Dari, Hindi, Punjabi, Mandarin, or Cantonese preferred (wage differential available upon passing test for fluency and written proficiency);
  • Demonstrated working knowledge of or willingness to learn health care related issues, including but not limited to Medicare, Medi-Cal and related programs such as In-Home Supportive Services, managed care plans, employer's insurance and self-funded plans;
  • Experience or demonstrated commitment to public interest law and social justice advocacy;
  • Commitment to complying with all California Rules of Professional Conduct, BayLegal funding requirements, and firm standards, policies, and practices.
  • Current proficiency, and ability to improve proficiency, in technological equipment, hardware and software necessary to perform duties of the position.
  • Experience and skills maintaining organization of time, managing diverse activities, and meeting critical deadlines with minimal supervision.
  • Excellent writing, editing, and proof-reading skills, with ability to be detail oriented.
  • Experience and commitment to working collaboratively with a dynamic team.
  • Curious and self-directed with an ability to anticipate what needs to be done.
  • Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects while maintaining a firm grasp of individual project details.
  • Sense of humor and proactive problem-solver.