Health Law Attorney

The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County seeks an attorney with a passion for health equity and social justice advocacy to join our Health Consumer Center (HCC). The HCC helps resolve legal problems related to health care access for low-income people. The HCC works with state and local partners to provide outreach and education and to engage in systemic advocacy to eliminate barriers to health coverage and health care. The HCC is a partner in the Health Consumer Alliance, a statewide network of independent consumer assistance programs.

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

Legal Aid SMC (www.legalaidsmc.org) is a dynamic and collegial nonprofit law firm whose mission is to fight social injustice through civil legal advocacy for people living in poverty.

Responsibilities include:

• Representation of low-income San Mateo County residents seeking access to health care coverage and health care services with the ability to identify and escalate systemic issues that require broader advocacy
• This advocacy includes adversarial representation at various venues including administrative hearings, arbitration and mediation, and other pre-litigation tribunals.
• Partnering with community groups to educate low-income consumers about their rights to health insurance coverage and timely, affordable, and high-quality health care
• Participation in local and statewide strategy calls and task forces to develop HCC priorities and pursue strategies for eliminating barriers to coverage and care for low-income communities
• Participation in legislative advocacy in local and statewide forums
• Lobbying state representatives in the California Legislature and testifying before Senate and Assembly Health Committees
• Assisting with grant reporting and writing grant proposals

Required:

• Active membership in the California State Bar or eligible for the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program
• Ability to balance individual caseload requiring attention to detail with community education and systemic advocacy
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and communication skills

Preferred:

• Health law or public benefits law experience
• Experience working with diverse populations and community-based organizations
• Experience in direct service organizations with diverse communities

Compensation:

Salary: $81,000+ per year (DOE).

Full-time exempt position.

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

Hybrid Workplace: 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 are expected to attend in person events 3-4 times a month. These events may include periodic team meetings, staff gatherings, in person outreach events, court appearances, and clinics.

To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to jobs@legalaidsmc.org. In your email, please include your pronouns and a phonetic pronunciation of your first and last name.

Optional: You may also include in your cover letter details that explain your interest in health law, including lived or personal experience.

Legal Aid SMC is always actively seeking candidates who have a strong interest in public interest. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply even if they do not meet all the requirements listed above.

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