Staff Attorney

Overview

This Staff Attorney role provides post-conviction services to low-income individuals facing eviction, housing insecurity, substandard housing conditions, or other barriers to housing throughout San Joaquin County.

The position reports to the Directing Attorney and includes full-scope representation for individuals seeking to clear their records in the San Joaquin service areas. Work also includes Know Your Rights presentations, outreach, clinics, and case management of record clearing services. The attorney will engage in cross-referrals to other services and/or referrals to external project partners.

• Position type: Full-Time (FLSA Exempt)
• Union position: Legal Service Workers for Rural California (LSWRC)
• Experience: 6+ months
• Application deadline: Open until filled

Responsibilities

• Perform community outreach and education campaigns on record clearing options in California.
• Maintain relationships with Public Defenders in the San Joaquin service areas, serving as a liaison with these agencies.
• Participate in record clearing clinics in the San Joaquin service areas.
• Improve and/or establish workflows for the record clearing clinic model.
• Conduct an initial interview of workshop participants; screen participants for possible wrap-around services; refer participants to other staff or external project partners following project referral procedures.
• Process completed forms, including uploading reviewed forms into corresponding Legal Server files, preparing forms, organizing and attaching supporting documents, and filing documents with the court.
• Monitor and follow up on cases filed through the clinic model, including tracking hearing dates, in-chambers requests, and decisions.
• Coordinate with the local public defender or recruit volunteer attorneys for felony hearings.
• Create and present training on record clearing procedures and legal theory.
• Maintain an active caseload representing clients in the Santa Barbara & Ventura service areas.
• Participate in periodic case review meetings to ensure high-quality legal services align with organizational priorities, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of record clearing and other post-conviction laws.
• Implement evaluation of Project services in collaboration with other Project staff.
• Cooperate with the Development Department for grant reporting and evaluation requirements and participate in development efforts as necessary.

Requirements

• Admitted to practice law in the State of California or willing to take the next California Bar Exam.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients, especially in the areas of social justice.
• Ability to empathize with the client community.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent public speaking skills, especially in group training or presentations.
• Superior organizational skills, including meeting deadlines and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lived experience with the criminal legal system and/or housing instability.
• Experience working with diverse racial and cultural groups.
• Experience in trauma-informed intake and service delivery practices.
• Extensive knowledge of California expungement and resentencing laws, including current laws through statute and relevant case law, historical background and evolution of California expungement and resentencing laws, and all procedural requirements.
• Experience with workshop or clinic legal services delivery models.
• Experience with record clearing and/or post-conviction work, including work in expungement, arrest record sealing, felony reduction, Prop 47, Prop 64, Certificates of Rehabilitation, and changes to California resentencing laws.
• Experience training and supervising private attorneys, paralegals, law students, and/or other volunteers in delivering civil legal aid.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $73,000–$104,000 per year (Staff Attorney)
• Union position: Legal Service Workers for Rural California (LSWRC)
• Benefits include:
  • 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage
  • 401K retirement plan with employer contribution effective immediately
  • Some professional dues paid (Bar Fees)
  • If qualified, up to $8,000 law school Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program (LRAP)
  • Paid leave: 15 days sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service)

Vaccination Requirement

All employees are required to be fully vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. Employment is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for review upon request.

Location

• SLO Office – San Luis Obispo, CA
• Remote