Job description

Position Summary:

San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation (SLOLAF) is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney for its Family Law Services program (“FLS Staff Attorney”). The FLS Staff Attorney will manage their own caseload under the supervision of the Legal Director of Family Law Services and with the support of a bilingual intake coordinator and bilingual legal advocate. The FLS Staff Attorney provides trauma-informed legal services ranging from advice and referrals to full representation depending on the circumstances. The FLS Staff Attorney assists the Legal Director of Family Law Services in determining the level of services to be provided factoring in SLOLAF’s mission, funding, and capacity. The Family Law Services program is currently serving only survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and stalking due to our sources of funding, but SLOLAF plans to expand the program’s scope as other funding becomes available. The position is based in our office in San Luis Obispo with some remote work opportunity and will require travel throughout the County for court appearances, meetings, and community outreach.

SLOLAF is a non-profit legal aid organization with a mission to provide legal services and resources to people in need. SLOLAF has served thousands of those in our community in the greatest need, including seniors, veterans, disabled adults, and other vulnerable populations, regardless of immigration status. Areas served include housing, eviction defense & tenants’ rights, elder abuse prevention and restraining orders, planning for incapacity for seniors, government benefits appeals, conservatorships and guardianships of the person, consumer finance and debt issues and family law services.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, SLOLAF is considered a qualifying employer for purposes of higher education loan forgiveness programs. Please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-servicefor more information including the requirements for qualification.

In furtherance of our commitment to supporting a healthy work-life balance for our employees while providing high quality legal services to our diverse clientele, SLOLAF is proud to offer our employees a generous array of benefits. We encourage our team to nurture their mental and physical health to serve clients most effectively. We value community involvement and allow our staff time in their workday for approved professional development.

SLOLAF priorities diversity and inclusivity, and maintains an equitable workplace where all clients, employees and volunteers feel valued and respected, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all our departments and programs.

Core Responsibilities:

• Interview prospective clients
• Provide trauma-informed legal advice and help evaluate level of services to offer ranging from advice only to full representation
• Represent clients in all phases of court litigation, including research, drafting pleadings and briefs, trial, and on appeal
• Attend community meetings, community education events and community workshops
• Develop positive relationships with clients, co-workers, and community partners
• Handle an increasingly complex caseload
• Participate in relevant and required legal training in family law legal matters and trauma-informed services on an ongoing basis
• Assist in the training and supervision of advocates, law students and volunteers as appropriate
• Develop creative methods, litigious and non-litigious for dealing with recurring client problems
• Use appropriate software in the performance of professional legal work including Clio, Westlaw, LawYaw and Microsoft Office
• Comply with all program and grant requirements
• Participate in weekly meetings with Legal Director of Family Law Services
• Participate in weekly legal team meetings
• Participate in biweekly staff meetings
• Other functions as deemed necessary or as directed by the Legal Director of Family Law Services

Qualifications/Skills:

• Licensed to practice law in the State of California
• Bilingual Spanish/English (preferred but not required), knowledge of American Sign Language a plus
• Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail
• Excellent public speaking skills and ability to convey what SLOLAF does to the general public
• Excellent oral and written advocacy, legal analysis, and legal research skills
• Good understanding of non-profit organizational structure

Characteristics:

• Passion for SLOLAF’s mission & serving those in need
• Ability to work with clients of all ages and backgrounds who are experiencing difficult circumstances and trauma
• Demonstrated cultural competency and awareness in dealing and communicating with diverse populations
• Ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and confidentiality
• Compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental
• Must work well with others and have a good sense of humor

Requirements:

• Complete a 65-hour training on trauma-informed services (conducted by Lumina Alliance) at the beginning of employment and prior to seeing clients
• Current California Driver’s License, automobile registration and vehicle insurance (required); must have reliable transportation to travel to court, meetings, and outreach events
• Willingness to travel to various locations around SLO County as needed

Salary and Benefits:

Salary starts at $80,500-$94,875 annually, depending on experience (exempt)

Benefits included with this position include:

• Fourteen (14) paid holidays
• Paid vacation (starting at two weeks per year)
• Paid Sick Leave: Eighty (80) hours annually (prorated if starting mid-year)
• Insurance Coverage (employee-only coverage, but employees are welcome to add dependents to their medical, dental and vision plans at their own expense):
• Medical insurance: SLOLAF currently pays $750 toward an Anthem Blue Cross medical insurance policy of your choice from the plans available to SLOLAF
• Dental insurance paid 100% by SLOLAF
• Vision insurance paid 100% by SLOLAF
• Life insurance ($50,000 benefit) paid 100% by SLOLAF (employee only)
• Long-term Disability Insurance paid 100% by SLOLAF (employee only)
• Professional liability insurance paid 100% by SLOLAF
• Simple IRA retirement plan with a guaranteed 2% of gross pay contributed by SLOLAF each payperiod and capacity to make additional pre-tax deductions from your paycheck
• California State Bar annual dues paid 100% by SLOLAF
• San Luis Obispo County Bar Association annual dues paid 100% by SLOLAF
• Cell phone allowance of $25 per month
• Relevant and necessary continuing legal education fees for online or in-person training and/or conferences that are pre-approved by management.

To apply:

• No calls please
• Please send cover letter (required), resume and professional references. Apply using the Indeed link and place to upload additional documents.

Position is available immediately and posting will remain open until filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $94,875.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
SLOLAF follows appropriate local and state guidance.

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• License to practice law in California (Required)
• California Driver's license (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

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