Description:
A Free Civil Legal Services to Low-Income Residents seeks an attorney with a strong commitment to the public interest and social justice advocacy. In this position, the staff attorney will have the opportunity to learn and practice across a wide breadth of legal areas directly related to increasing housing and financial self-sufficiency and stability, including public benefits and housing law. This position will initially focus on implementing BayLegal's medical legal partnership pilot project in Alameda County and will have opportunities to participate in other BayLegal programs such as SSI and advocacy for individuals impacted by the criminal legal system as needed. This position is based in our Alameda County Regional Office located in the city of Oakland and will require travel throughout the county and broader A Free Civil Legal Services to Low-Income Residents service area as necessary to best serve our clients.Duties & Responsibilities – with supervision and support you will have the opportunity to:
- Learn and advocate for the diverse legal rights of underserved communities in Alameda County and the broader A Free Civil Legal Services to Low-Income Residents to reduce homelessness, enhance economic and housing stability, and promote social justice;
- Work collaboratively with other BayLegal attorneys practicing in the range of substantive areas;
- Represent clients in a range of public benefits matters, including Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), CalWORKs, CalFresh, and the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) claims and appeals and to access other county, state, and federal benefit programs, as needed;
- Represent and assist clients in a range of housing issues, including eviction defense, reasonable accommodation requests, housing voucher denials and terminations, habitability complaints, and fair housing;
- Potentially represent clients in other legal matters, including consumer rights, criminal record remedies, and fees and fines issues;
- Conduct intake, screening of legal issues and assist with legal matters within BayLegal's practice areas to advance the interest of clients;
- Engage in and continue to develop relationships and collaborations 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 our client community;
- Provide Know Your Rights trainings for community members and community partners;
- Engage in other tasks and projects that further BayLegal's mission and effectiveness as a social justice anti-poverty law firm.
Requirements/Qualifications/About the Successful Candidate:
- A commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity, as well as humility when working with clients and colleagues at the intersection of multiple identities, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, religion, physical and mental disability, and/or limited English proficiency.
- Willing to be on-site at BayLegal office or advocacy site at least three days per week and as needed to serve clients.
- Received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered.
- Language fluency and proficiency in Spanish, Vietnamese, or another language regularly used in services to our client community preferred.
- Passion for and desire to work with low-income individuals.
- 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.
- Experience providing direct legal services to low-income clients, especially to people with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness.
- Experience with housing advocacy preferred.
- Experience with government benefits programs eligibility and advocacy preferred.
- Excellent writing, editing, and proof-reading skills, and 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.
- Experience and skill to simultaneously manage multiple projects while maintaining a firm grasp of individual details.
- Sense of humor and proactive problem-solver.
