Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto is seeking a Staff Attorney or Senior Attorney for its Economic Advancement Program (EAP), which aims to improve self-sufficiency and enhance the quality of life for the community. The EAP addresses barriers to self-sufficiency stemming from past interactions with the criminal justice system, as well as workplace challenges such as wage theft, discrimination, and retaliation. The organization is looking for an attorney who is passionate about providing direct legal services to clients, particularly focusing on reentry-related services for individuals who have previously been incarcerated.
About Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto:
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 by community leaders engaged in the social justice movement. Our mission is to provide transformative legal services that enable diverse communities in East Palo Alto and beyond to achieve a secure and thriving future. We serve low-income and working-class populations, predominantly communities of color, in the areas of immigration, housing, employment, and reentry law. We maximize our impact by coupling direct services with community education, technical assistance, and policy advocacy.
Responsibilities
Provide legal advice and representation to clients on reentry and workers’ rights issues;
Represent clients with convictions with record clearance petitions and hearings;
Provide Know Your Rights information and legal advice to help clients map pathways to seeking employment and overcoming criminal record related barriers to reentry;
As funding permits, provide legal representation to workers in negotiations with employers, administrative proceedings, and court litigation to recover unpaid wages and remedy other employment-related legal problems;
Perform grant and administrative management tasks (tracking time and activities, monitoring progress and reporting outcomes) in support of reentry grants;
Train, mentor, and supervise paralegals, support staff, pro bono attorneys, law students, and volunteers working on EAP related matters;
Participate in policy advocacy efforts, community outreach events, and legal workshops/clinics;
Maintain and establish relationships with community partners;
Represent CLSEPA at coalitions, meetings, training, conferences, and community events; and
Assist with fundraising and grant writing as needed.
Qualifications
California Bar membership, pending Bar passage results or Provisionally Licensed Attorney status;
Proficiency in verbal Spanish (preferred);
Experience in the field of employment or reentry law;
Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income populations and communities of color;
Excellent written and oral communication and case and grant management skills;
Ability to relate to and communicate with a broad range of clients and colleagues; and
Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others, both within the organization and in the community.
As a Senior Attorney, you also have:
A minimum of three years of post-law school legal experience; and
Some grant management experience (preferred).
Compensation
This is a full-time exempt position with the following starting annualized salary ranges (dependent on experience):
Staff Attorney: $80,000-$88,000
Senior Attorney: $88,000-$100,000
The range(s) provided is/are CLSEPA’s reasonable estimates of the base compensation for this/these roles. The actual salary amount may be higher or lower, based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Benefits and Perks
In addition to a competitive compensation package, we offer competitive benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance, a Health Reimbursement Account for mental health, 15 paid holidays, generous PTO and a 403(b).
To promote and support financial wellness, CLSEPA pays state bar dues, and malpractice insurance. This position currently qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
To Apply
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by submitting a resume, cover letter, writing sample and 3 professional references using this link or email jobs@clsepa.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
