Job Description

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POSITION : Attorney – Self Help Center Workgroup

LOCATION : Santa Monica Courthouse

SALARY : $80,000k - $83,200k/ annually DOE, with excellent benefits

AVAILABILITY : Immediately

APPLICATION DEADLINE : Continuous until position is filled.

Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!

The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit .

The Workgroup: The Self-Help Legal Access Centers assist individuals who represent themselves (regardless of income or immigration status); and offers legal information, help with preparing court forms, and guidance on a variety of civil legal matters. They also provide referrals to private attorneys or legal services programs as needed.

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney – Self Help Center .

NOTE: This role requires the candidate to work onsite 5 days a week.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active membership in the California State Bar.
• Familiarity with landlord-tenant law, family law, and/or consumer law preferred.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the proven ability to relate to diverse individuals with respect and humility on a consistent basis.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse staff and partners, including court and judicial staff, volunteers, and community-based organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to LAFLA’s community-driven mission and priorities.
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.0-hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when obligations so necessitate.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Meet with self-represented litigants onsite at the Santa Monica Courthouse Self-Help Legal Access Center to ensure meaningful access to the civil justice system.
• Provide direct litigant assistance, including educating litigants on court rules and procedures, reviewing and preparing court forms and documents, and referring to outside agencies when necessary.
• Create and conduct in-person workshops for litigants with landlord-tenant, family law, and/or consumer matters.
• Develop and maintain plain language self-help materials.
• Collaborate closely with court staff and legal service partner agencies to carry out coordinated assistance.
• Perform community and partner outreach to promote self-help resources and provide legal education.
• In coordination with the LAFLA Pro Bono Director and Self-Help Managing Attorney, recruit, train and supervise volunteer attorneys, law students, JusticeCorps members, and community volunteers.
• Assist at other onsite Self-Help Legal Access Centers, as well as with the remote Self-Help Center hotline, as needed.

HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to shwgjobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney – Self-Help SM” in the subject line.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD – A one year probationary period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER : Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.

The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact humanresources@lafla.org.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend. Please visit for our salary scale for union, non-management staff.

HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA office.

COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS – Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.

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