Family Advocacy Attorney or Law Graduate

Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County (Legal Aid SMC) aims to ensure that the social safety next works for everyone. We believe our entire community is stronger when everyone has a home, economic security, and essential public services. Our lawyers provide free civil legal services to low-income San Mateo County residents, helping clients navigate complex legal systems including immigration, education, public benefits, and other safety net services. We also work to empower clients to advocate for themselves, and to fix broken systems through policy change.

Legal Aid SMC’s Family Advocacy Program (FAP) team seeks an attorney or law graduate to join us on the front lines of the affordability crisis. FAP team members help families with disabled children to access education, healthcare, and safety net benefits. We are looking for someone to spearhead the expansion of our benefits work into Santa Clara County. These benefits help keep families housed in this increasingly expensive area.

We are looking for a motivated and organized attorney or law graduate who is dedicated to advocating for a diverse, low-income client population. The right candidate is someone who can prioritize multiple demands and execute tasks efficiently, demonstrates excellent client relations, works well on a collaborative team, and is committed to social justice.

Legal Aid SMC seeks candidates who share our aspirations for a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community and workplace. We are committed to affirming differences in race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.

Responsibilities:

• Advocacy: Advocate for the rights of families of children with disabilities to receive in-home supportive services (IHSS) and help families navigate the application process. Assist with appeals of negative decisions when appropriate.
• Community engagement: Participate in community outreach events and regional task force meetings; conduct parent education workshops; and engage in targeted one-on-one outreach with government officials, medical providers, and organizations that serve families of children with disabilities.
• Policy Advocacy: Work collaboratively with community groups to advance local and state policy that benefits low-income families.

Required Qualifications:

• California State Bar membership, qualified for Registered Legal Services Attorney Program, or law graduate (JD)
• Ability to be in office and attend in-person outreach events in Santa Clara County as needed

Preferred:

• Outstanding legal research, writing and analysis, and public speaking skills
• Fluency in English and Spanish
• Experience working with low-income persons and persons with disabilities
• Direct service experience with individuals

Compensation and Benefits

Attorney: Salaried position starting at $83,500/year DOE. Full-time exempt position.

Law Graduate: $41.63/hour ($75,770 annualized). Full-time non-exempt position.

Benefits: Excellent benefits including up to $3,600/year law school loan repayment assistance for attorneys. $2,500 stipend for proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by our client community.

Workplace Expectations: Legal Aid SMC is a hybrid workplace. Work schedules and locations are determined by client needs, organizational needs, workload demands, and personal preferences. All employees are expected to reside within commuting distance of the Legal Aid SMC office and attend periodic in-person team or all staff gatherings (1-2 per month). FAP team members also make in-person client site visits and participate in community meetings and outreach events in person as needed.

To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to jobs@legalaidsmc.org.

Legal Aid SMC is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, persons with disabilities, immigrants, older adults, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Benefits: Excellent benefits including up to $3,600/year law school loan repayment assistance for attorneys.

$2,500 stipend for proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by our client community.