Managing Attorney

WHO WE ARE: Founded in 1966, CRLA’s mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. offers legal services that defend the rights of the rural poor and change the unjust systems that oppress them. Our advocates believe that rural communities can thrive and that the justice system can be worked to the advantage of people who reject poverty and discrimination. The work we advance spans an impressive gamut of venues and stands on a bold legacy of success and a vision for the prosperity of our clients. The Community Equity Initiative (CEI) program addresses environmental justice issues in some of California’s most underinvested communities.  

• Position:                        Managing Attorney - CEI Environmental Justice
• Experience:                   3+ years
• Application Deadline:    Open until filled
• Location:                       Any of the respective CRLA offices; Salinas/Tulare/Fresno/Modesto
• Term of Employment:    Full-Time
• Other: FLSA Exempt,    Union Position

Position Description:

CEI utilizes a community lawyering model to address environmental justice issues in disadvantaged communities.  The model calls for creative, innovative advocacy that uses a multipronged approach to address the issues and their systemic roots.  Approaches such as community leadership development and advocacy around policies are as important to the work as traditional legal advocacy.  The CEI Managing Attorney should have a demonstrated interest in community lawyering and skills to lead and develop creative CEI teams in the area.

The CEI program covers a wide array of legal areas ranging from access to services such as water and broadband to the inequitable distribution of resources and siting of hazardous land uses. CEI’s client communities are Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities (DUCs) that suffer the consequences of historic underinvestment and discriminatory policies.  They bear the burden of unjust and inequitable conditions and decisions. 

The CEI Managing Attorney will work with the Legal Program Director and CEI staff to develop and implement creative advocacy strategies to address community-identified environmental justice issues in the Salinas/Tulare/Fresno/Modesto regions and will assist in managing CEI Staff. Primary responsibilities include legal advocacy/litigation, collaboration with partners and government agencies, community leadership development, analysis of pending policies, and supervision of staff.

Essential Responsibilities/Duties:

Supervision of Staff and Advocacy

• Oversight and supervision of Community Equity Initiative staff and advocacy in the assigned counties.
• Supervise and guide staff’s advocacy work, including assessing legal needs and reviewing and editing litigation-related documents.
• Ensure that case handling complies with CRLA policies, Legal Services Corporation regulations, the ABA Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Services, and ethical obligations.
• Conduct periodic case review meetings with staff to monitor for quality legal services and compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
• Supervise and guide staff development, including evaluating staff and developing and implementing professional development plans.

Strategic Advocacy

• Take on statewide impact advocacy, including group litigation and permissible legislative advocacy.
• Assist CEI teams to develop community leadership and support community residents’ capacity to participate in public decision-making.
• Work with CEI teams to develop and implement community-specific strategies in client communities.
• Coordinate advocacy in substantive areas through collaboration and co-counseling with pro bono partner organizations, agencies, communities, and advocacy groups.
• Raise awareness of successes and challenges facing DUCs through media, presentations, and participation in issue- and community-based coalitions.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Develop specialized knowledge in a CEI priority area of environmental justice community leadership development and act as a resource for CRLA staff.
• Participate in training programs, staff conferences