Staff Attorney - Pro Bono (CARE Court Clinic)

Full-time

No

Staff Attorney - Pro Bono (CARE Court Clinic) - Full Time, In-Person at Hall of Justice Courthouse

Organization: Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD)

Salary Range: $75,000 - $112,500 per year

Job Type: Exempt, Full-Time

Location: San Diego County

Position Summary:

The Pro Bono Staff Attorney at LASSD provides court clinic assistance to self-represented litigants in matters involving the CARE Act. This includes filling out forms, providing information and referrals, and educating litigants on alternative options to CARE Act proceedings. The Staff Attorney also recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers and advocates. This position is full-time and requires in-person work at the Hall of Justice Courthouse.

About the Organization:

LASSD has been serving San Diego County since 1953 and is the largest poverty law firm in the area. Their mission is to provide equal access to justice for low-income and underrepresented individuals. LASSD is committed to empowering their clients to navigate the legal, governmental, and social systems, and to fight against poverty and injustice.

Essential Functions:

- Run a clinic that provides in pro per services to a diverse population from a courthouse location
- Recruit, train, and foster positive relationships with volunteers and contract attorneys
- Train and supervise advocates and volunteers
- Interview clinic participants, provide legal information and education, and prepare legal documents
- Provide information on less restrictive alternatives to CARE Act proceedings
- Connect self-represented litigants to county Behavioral Health Services and LASSD direct services
- Support advocates through training and review of information provided and forms completed for clinic participants
- Conduct outreach events, provide training and consumer education
- Attend internal and external meetings and/or events
- Collaborate with other LASSD teams and outside organizations to provide holistic services
- Stay up to date on developments in various areas of law related to clinic (CARE, Behavioral Health, Conservatorship, etc.)
- Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

- Admitted and in Good Standing with the California State Bar
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong organizational skills and ability to meet grant requirements
- Must have reliable transportation

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Fluency in written and spoken Spanish or a threshold language preferred
- Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income and underrepresented people
- Ability to work successfully with people from diverse backgrounds
- Knowledge of systems of care, especially Behavioral Health systems of care and patient’s rights protections
- Knowledge of Behavioral Health diversionary programs, standards and rights related to involuntary inpatient and outpatient mental health services, assisted outpatient treatment and Laura’s Law, and the CARE Act.

Salary and Benefits:

The Staff Attorney position is an exempt position with a salary range of $75,000 - $112,500 per year. The starting annual pay rate is $75,000. In addition, there is a bilingual pay increase of 2% for passing an oral test and 2% for passing a written test for threshold languages other than English. LASSD also offers a generous benefits package, a 35-hour workweek, and paid vacation and sick leave. The organization provides 100% employer-paid medical premium, 50% employer-paid premium for dependents under LASSD health plan, and dental, vision, and life benefits. Staff also have the option to participate in a 403(b)-retirement plan and dependent and health flex savings accounts (FSA). LASSD has its own law school loan repayment program and is an eligible nonprofit employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Hybrid Work Environment:

LASSD has adopted a hybrid work environment in which most staff are required to work in the office part of the week and can work remotely for the remainder of the week, as long as their job duties allow. All employees are provided with LASSD computers and necessary supplies to perform their work. The organization has also implemented additional technologies to ensure efficiency and connectivity in the hybrid working environment. However, all employees must be available to travel to LASSD offices and service locations throughout San Diego County as needed and in compliance with public health advisories. Applicants must reside in or near San Diego County or plan to relocate prior to their start date and must be able to commute to LASSD offices or service delivery locations. LASSD’s normal business hours are 9am-5pm, but they are open to providing flexible work schedules when feasible. LASSD reserves the right to change these policies at any time.

Diversity and Inclusion:

LASSD is committed to representing the community they serve. They are a signatory to the San Diego County Bar Association’s Diversity Pledge and pledge to promote diversity and inclusion through various initiatives. They strongly encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply.

Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Not specified

Generous benefits package, 35-hour workweek, paid vacation and sick leave, employer-paid medical premium, bilingual pay increase, dental, vision, and life benefits, 403(b)-retirement plan, law school loan repayment program, eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Spanish or threshold language fluency preferred.

Written and verbal communication, organizational, recruitment, training, supervision, legal document preparation, community referrals, education, grant compliance, collaboration, Spanish language fluency, commitment to serving underrepresented individuals, knowledge of Behavioral Health systems and patient's rights, familiarity with CARE Act and related laws.

Not specified

Interested applicants must reside in or near San Diego County and be able to commute to LASSD offices and service locations. Applications can be submitted through the LASSD website or by email to the contact person listed.

Qualification and Experience Admitted and in good standing with the California State Bar

Legal