Staff Attorney – Family Law

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (LFSV) invites California State Bar attorneys to join us in creating systematic change by applying for the Staff Attorney position on the Legal Advocates of Children & Youth (LACY) team. This is a flexible, hybrid position.

Who We Are

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley advances the rights of historically excluded individuals and families across Santa Clara County through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach. Now with over 90 employees, the Law Foundation is the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay. Located in downtown San Jose, the Law Foundation is a dynamic and interesting place to work. We pride ourselves on fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative and fun, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth. We are working towards a Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)-centered legal services practice that incorporates community and movement lawyering. Our focus areas include health, housing, and children and youth.

What You’ll Do

A staff attorney is sought to represent youth through one or more of the Legal Advocates for Children and Youth (LACY)’s projects. The mix of casework will be based upon program needs. Cases will be assigned based on the attorney’s experience in guardianship, family law and other matters, and ability to demonstrate compliance with local rules regarding court appointments. The attorney will work directly with transition age foster youth and former foster youth as well as provide presentations on legal rights and remedies to teens and young adults. Experience working with diverse populations of youth on legal matters is desired.

Primary Duties

• Provide representation, advocacy, and information for youth in guardianship, family law, and other matters, including working on issues affecting sexually exploited children, pregnant and young parents, and transition age or former foster youth
• Participate in meetings with project partners and community agencies
• Respond to referrals from service providers and partner agencies
• Provide technical assistance to attorneys and service providers
• Participate in regular meetings with LACY and Law Foundation staff
• Participate in general office upkeep duties, including computer data entry of case information, maintenance of billing records, filing, copying, drafting and filing court documents, and serving notice

Who You Are

This position may be a good fit for you if you have:

• California State Bar membership
• A demonstrated commitment to the rights of children and youth
• An ability to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems
• Strong self-motivation and independent work skills
• An ability to manage multiple clients in high-stress situations
• Experience working with minors with diverse backgrounds including those in crisis
• A sensitive and compassionate approach to lawyering
• Reliable transportation to attend meetings, hearings, home visits, and outreach presentations
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills

Preferred Requirements:

• Bilingual and bicultural Spanish, Vietnamese, or another relevant non-English speaker
• Experience in courtroom and administrative advocacy
• Experience working with individuals from multi-ethnic communities

What We Offer

The salary scale for this position is $80,000 – $105,000. All compensation is determined by the wage table of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and LFSV. Placement on the wage table will be based upon an applicant’s bar admission date and months of experience in comparable roles. Excellent benefits are provided including:

• 19 paid holidays per year
• 3-5 weeks of vacation per year
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• A paid lunch break
• Up to 6 months of parental leave
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
• A robust Employee Assistance Program that includes free mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents
• A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions
• A sabbatical after 5 years of employment
• An annual budget for professional development
• An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of the job
• Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees
• The option to work a hybrid schedule

Location

Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace and staff will be required to commute to our San Jose offices a minimum of two days per week. If staff can meet the requirements above, including commuting at their own expense, staff may live anywhere in California. Due to logistical challenges regarding taxes, insurance, and time zones, we are not able to consider staff in other states at this time.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. We encourage people of color, womxn, people living with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to apply. It is the policy of the Law Foundation to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. The Law Foundation will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

ADA Accessible Facility – Equal Opportunity Employer – Drug-Free Workplace