Staff Attorney

WHO WE ARE: California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm dedicated to dismantling unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. For over five decades, we have partnered with communities priced out of private legal representation to uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Building on a radical legacy rooted in the farmworker movement and the War on Poverty, CRLA continues to fight for the rights and prosperity of rural Californians through bold advocacy, systemic change, and a vision of thriving, empowered communities. CRLA’s community-led legal services activate community power to achieve justice, ensuring our clients and partners have the tools to dismantle poverty, discrimination, and systemic inequities.

• Position: Staff Attorney
• Experience: 6+ months
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: CRLA Tulare, CA
• Other: FLSA Exempt, Full-Time, Union Position

Reporting to the Directing Attorney, the Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA priority areas in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services, and the Code of Professional Responsibility. 

Essential Responsibilities/Duties:

• Provides legal services to low-income clients and client groups, including advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative advocacy in accordance with program priorities and case-handling policies.
• Reviews and supervises the work product of Community Workers and Clerical support staff relating to all clients being advised or represented by him/her.
• Undertakes significant statewide impact activity, including institutional and group litigation or community economic development beneficial to the low-income community.
• Develops leadership in working with community, client, and other advocacy groups related to statewide impact issues.
• Works to develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and acts as a resource for other staff through participation in at least one CRLA task force.
• Coordinates advocacy in substantive areas through collaboration with other human services providers, non-profit organizations, and community, client, or other advocacy groups.
• Participates in CRLA training programs, local office case reviews or staff meetings, or other CRLA activities as required.
• Provides community education regarding legal rights and prepares materials relating to these presentations.
• Works with members of the private bar as necessary in accordance with CRLA Private Bar Involvement.
• Maintains contemporaneous time records in the CRLA case management system.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all members of the office staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Admitted to practice law in the State of CA or willing to take the next CA Bar Exam.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Able to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.

Preferred Education and Experience:

A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:

• Experience working with low-income families and communities.
• Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
• Prior experience in legal services and additional language ability relevant.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish).

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA