Clinical Supervision Attorney

Position Title:

Clinical Supervision Attorney

Position Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hiring Range:

$102,800/Annual; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:

Annual

The Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center (“Law Center”) is a clinical program of Santa Clara University School of Law. The Law Center has the dual mission of educating law students to be life-long social justice advocates and providing legal services for the low-income community. KGACLC educates law students in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards by serving individuals and communities in need with competence, conscience and compassion through pro bono legal representation and education. Law students work under the supervision of experienced attorneys to provide free legal services in the areas of consumer protection, workers’ rights, immigration, and their intersection with human trafficking. Our service delivery model includes

1) community education and outreach, 2) advice clinics, and 3) full-scope and limited-scope representation cases, including court and administrative hearings. Faculty and staff also serve as leaders in collaborative efforts to increase access to the legal system for low-income individuals and communities and participate in media appearances, presentations, and training events. 

KGACLC is located in San Jose, California, approximately 10 minutes from the Santa Clara University campus and 10 minutes from downtown San Jose. It serves low-income members of the community, primarily from Santa Clara County. Our work brings increased stability, security, and peace of mind for clients and the community. 

Position Overview: 

The Law Center seeks a Clinical Supervising Attorney (Attorney) to lead a new project focused on the decriminalization of homelessness. The Decriminalization of Homelessness Practice (DHP) will assist people experiencing homelessness who are facing legal barriers to transitioning into housing; for example, fines and fees, record clearance, infractions for “quality of life crimes,” drivers license suspensions, etc. The DHP will also engage in community advocacy and education around decriminalizing homelessness. This is a new project of KGACLC and the DHP focus areas may evolve or expand over time. The Attorney will lead and supervise the legal and advocacy work of the DHP and will also work in collaboration to develop and teach its classroom component. The DHP was designed and works in partnership with the Santa Clara University Unhoused Initiative (UI). The overarching goal of the DHP is to reduce barriers to housing through legal services and advocacy centered on the intersection of homelessness and the criminal legal system. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

The Clinical Supervising Attorney will be responsible for:

1) Program Development and Oversight,

2) Direct Representation and Client Services,

3) Supervision and Mentorship,

4) Community Education and Outreach, and

5) Other Duties as Assigned. 

  

1. Program Development and Oversight 

 In collaboration with the Executive Director and UI: 

• Design, launch, and sustain a robust DHP that significantly expands legal services for people experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County and service learning opportunities for law students.  
• Implement internal systems, procedures, and processes related to case handling, legal clinics, community education, volunteer and pro bono recruitment/deployment, program evaluation, and grant reporting.. 
• Create and implement initiatives that address the legal needs of those experiencing homelessness.
• Collect and analyze data alongside program success stories to effectively demonstrate  outcomes. 

2. Direct Representation and Client Services 

• Direct legal representation of people experiencing homelessness in a variety of legal matters that impede their transition into housing, including, but not limited to: criminal infractions, fines and fees, record clearance, drivers license suspensions, administrative proceedings for return of property, and other similar matters. Areas of practice may change or expand in response to client and community needs. 
• Conduct intakes and consultations with prospective clients. 
• Comply with data an