Managing Attorney – Santa Monica Workgroup

POSITION: Managing Attorney – Santa Monica Workgroup

LOCATION: Santa Monica Community Office

SALARY: $118,928k - $133,777k / annually DOE, with excellent benefits

AVAILABILITY: Immediately

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.

Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!

The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.

The Workgroup: LAFLA’s Santa Monica Workgroup is a community office assisting residents in the areas of housing, public benefits, and domestic violence and family advocacy, and operating for 30 years in Santa Monica. We often coordinate our advocacy with other non-profits, community-based organizations, and local government agencies to help our clients gain the best results through a holistic model of community advocacy.

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Managing Attorney.

QUALIFICATIONS:

􀁸 Active membership in the California State Bar;

􀁸 Minimum five (5) years’ experience in the practice of law, including broad experience in lawyering skills, including client interviewing, legal research, writing, drafting, negotiation, law and motion and discovery techniques, and trial and appellate work;

􀁸 Demonstrated knowledge of applicable law and community legal needs;

􀁸 Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

􀁸 Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail;

􀁸 Demonstrated ability to handle direct service cases and impact cases of a complex nature;

􀁸 Previous experience with administrative duties and supervision of attorneys;

􀁸 Previous experience in a legal services program preferred;

􀁸 Previous experience working on grants preferred;

􀁸 Ability to multi-task;

􀁸 Ability to work cooperatively with staff effectively at all levels of the Foundation; and

􀁸 Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.

􀁸 Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.5-hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

􀁸 Supervise attorneys and other staff members, manage the Santa Monica office and the Domestic Violence Clinic in the Santa Monica courthouse;

􀁸 Lead efforts to achieve full Right to Counsel for Santa Monica tenants facing eviction;

􀁸 Maintain an active caseload to the extent possible;

􀁸 Review all retained cases on a regular basis;

􀁸 Coordinate clinic schedules and provide coverage when necessary;

􀁸 In conjunction with the Development department, participate in resource development, including management of grants and drafting quarterly reports to the City of Santa Monica;

􀁸 As appropriate, identify and pursue additional grants and other funding;

􀁸 Supervise the maintenance of proper case files and time records;

􀁸 Assure the smooth operation of the office;

􀁸 Cooperate with other Managing Attorneys to meet the overall goals of the Foundation;

􀁸 Liaise with the City of Santa Monica, client community and community organizations;

􀁸 Implement LAFLA’s Performance Standards;

􀁸 Serve as a part of the LAFLA management team to develop/improve litigant-friendly delivery systems; effective partnerships with public officials, services providers, and the private bar;

􀁸 Coordinate intake and service delivery methods with Self Help partners, and court administrative staff;

􀁸 Encourage advocacy staff to develop specialized knowledge in more than one substantive area of poverty law and to act as a resource for other staff; and

􀁸 Ensure that legal services provided are consistent with LAFLA’s priorities, policies and procedures, and that they maximize office resources to provide the highest quality client service.

HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to smjobs@lafla.org Include “Managing Attorney – Santa Monica” in the subject line.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD – A one-year probationary period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.

The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact humanresources@lafla.org.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.

COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS - Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.

SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.

COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS - Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.

SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.