Staff Attorney

Overview

This full-time, FLSA Exempt, union position is for a Staff Attorney providing post-conviction services to low-income individuals facing eviction, housing insecurity, substandard housing conditions, or other barriers to housing throughout San Joaquin County.

The role supports holistic record-clearing services, including record clearing representation, Know Your Rights presentations, outreach, clinics, and case management. The Staff Attorney reports to the Directing Attorney and provides full-scope representation for individuals seeking to clear their records in the San Joaquin service areas. Responsibilities also include cross-referrals to other services and/or referrals to external project partners.

Responsibilities

• Conduct community outreach and education campaigns on record clearing options in California.
• Maintain relationships with Public Defenders in the San Joaquin service areas and serve as the organization’s 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 initial interviews 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 correlating 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 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 areas of social justice.
• Ability to empathize with the client community.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent public speaking skills, especially for group training or presentations.
• Superior organizational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and demonstrate 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 an up-to-date understanding of current laws through statute and relevant case law, historical background, evolution of California expungement and resentencing laws, and all procedural requirements.
• Experience with workshop or clinic legal services delivery models.
• Experience in 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 (Staff Attorney): $73,000–$104,000, depending on each year of admission to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction and any relevant law-related work experience prior to being admitted to practice law.
• Union position: Legal Service Workers for Rural California (LSWRC).
• Benefits include a generous package with 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% coverage for dependents.
• 401K retirement plan with employer contribution effective immediately.
• Some professional dues are paid by the employer (Bar Fees).
• If qualified, up to $8,000 law school Loan Reimbursement Assistance Program (LRAP).
• Paid leave policy includes 15 days of 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).

Location

• Remote
• Services and casework include San Joaquin County; the role also maintains an active caseload representing clients in the Santa Barbara & Ventura service areas.

Application Notes

• Experience: 6+ months.
• Application deadline: Open until filled.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

• Employment requires employees to be fully vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. Offer is contingent on meeting this requirement, with a process for reasonable, allowable accommodations available upon request.