Description:

About the role:
Staff Attorneys at UnCommon Law are responsible for the provision of legal services to clients and participants across a range of representation modalities, including direct representation in parole hearings; consultation management and delivery; habeas and other litigation; and legal services offered through Home After Harm and related in-prison workshops. This Staff Attorney's time will be allocated as outlined below.

This exempt position reports directly to the Supervising Attorney and offers an annual salary range of $84,000 to $100,800+ commensurate with years of direct relevant experience. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our values. Final salary offers are determined based on the candidate's job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as assessed during the interview process and aligned with our structured salary schedule. Our office is based in Oakland, CA, and we offer a hybrid work model to our employees. The anticipated start date for this position is Spring 2027.

Key Duties and Responsibilities
Direct Representation (70%)

Manage a caseload of individual clients in preparation for parole hearings
Client representation includes:

Conducting intake visits and assessments
One-on-one visits with clients in-person, via video, or via telephone
Written correspondence and follow-up
Communication with supporters and loved ones
Document review and feedback
Representation of clients at their parole hearings
Other advocacy on behalf of clients in parole processes (e.g. correcting risk assessments, written and oral statements at en banc hearings, etc.)

Draft, edit, and submit other legal advocacy documents to Board of Parole Hearings or Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials as needed
Engage in continued learning and training opportunities, including:

Bi-Weekly (semimonthly) Attorney Case Rounds and Bi-Weekly Legal/Clinical Trainings (semimonthly)
Quarterly parole hearing observation

Home After Harm (HAH) Pilot Program (15%)

Manage a caseload of Home After Harm participants, including:

Opening case correspondence (opening letter, attorney-client agreement)
In-person legal visits, including preparation and follow-up
Transcript reviews for eligible participants
Participation in educational workshops
Miscellaneous written correspondence and follow-up

Assist in revising and editing existing HAH legal workshops (as needed)

Educational Training and Events (10%)

Participate in Pathways to Parole Success (PPS) Workshops inside California state prisons
Participate in Lifer School and other UCL community education trainings
May engage with community organizations and/or legal organizations to provide trainings on the parole process

Organization-Wide (5%)

Participate in regular staff meetings
Occasionally participate in in-person team building activities and retreats
Occasionally assist in cross-team collaborative opportunities, such as policy, non-client mail, and fundraising

Experience:

J.D. with 0-6+ years of experience as a practicing attorney
Active membership in good standing in the California State Bar
Demonstrated history of working in a similar or related legal field either prior to or during law school (preferred but not required)
Experience working with people incarcerated in jail or prison (preferred but not required)
Experience or familiarity with California's discretionary parole system (preferred but not required)
Bilingual skills in Spanish highly preferred

Abilities and Attributes

Excellent legal writing skills with an ability to be persuasive, kind, and clear for various audiences
Creative, problem-solving mentality and approach to overcoming obstacles
A willingness to approach client work with kindness, non-judgement, and confidentiality
Ability to work independently with minimal, take initiative, and be self-motivated
Communicative team player who can manage competing and time-sensitive priorities
Proficiency in providing trauma-informed client services
Compassion for incarcerated persons and their family members, and a demonstrated interest in criminal justice reform
Ability to pass a background check that would permit entry into California prisons, e.g. valid ID or DL
Proficient with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Box, and Slack, or an ability to learn on the job
Proficiency in Spanish (strongly preferred but not required)