Legal Assistant- Federal Pro Se Clinic -Consumer Rights & Economic Justice Project

ABOUT PUBLIC COUNSEL

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles. 

Public Counsel operates eight legal projects: Children’s Rights, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, Veterans’ Rights, the Gender Justice Project, and our impact litigation project, Opportunity Under Law. 

Public Counsel has a full-time staff of over 150. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities.

ABOUT THE FEDERAL Pro Se CLINIC

Public Counsel’s Federal Pro Se Clinic provides high quality legal assistance to people litigating cases in the federal district court in Los Angeles. Located at the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, the Clinic serves the needs of a growing population of pro se litigants. The Clinic also provides a setting to connect these litigants with volunteer attorneys from major law firms. Public Counsel also takes certain meritorious cases for full representation or placement with pro bono counsel. The Federal Pro Se Clinic is part of the Consumer Rights & Economic Justice project.

JOB SUMMARY

This is an entry-level position that will commence on or after July 15, 2024.

Reporting to the Supervising Staff Attorney, the new Legal Assistant will:

• Conduct preliminary intake interviews and gather relevant documents and information under the supervision of an attorney;
• Coordinate client appointments and volunteer attorney schedules at the Federal Pro Se Clinic;
• Provide support to Staff Attorney and Supervising Staff Attorney;
• Maintain client case files, complete data entry, and monitor outcome tracking for the Clinic;
• Assist with the development of informational materials;
• Perform various clerical duties such as record-keeping, document copying, e-filing, etc.;
• Work closely with pro se litigants, staff, and volunteer attorneys on public benefits, civil rights, and other cases; and,
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Public Counsel offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy-up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage
• Dental and vision coverage
• Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
• 403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution
• Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans

Generous paid time off (per year):

• 15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
• 12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs
• 2 personal observance days
• 11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)
• Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)

Additional benefits:

·       37.5 hour work week for all full-time employees

• Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement
• $45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties
• Up to 6 months of parental leave
• Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
• Professional development support and opportunities