Staff Attorney – Medical Legal Community Partnership

ANNUAL SALARY: $75,000 – $79,000, depending on experience

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc. (MHAS) is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is
to protect and advance the legal rights of low-income adults and children with mental health
disabilities and empower them to assert those rights in order to maximize their autonomy, achieve
equity, and secure the resources they need to thrive. MHAS assists both children and adults, with
an emphasis on obtaining government benefits and services, protecting rights, and fighting
discrimination. MHAS also serves as a resource to the community by providing training
and technical assistance to attorneys, mental health professionals, consumer and family
member groups, and other advocates. Finally, MHAS participates in impact litigation and policy work
in an effort to improve the lives of people with mental health disabilities.

JOB DESCRIPTION:
MHAS seeks to hire a Staff Attorney to provide free legal services to participants of Los Angeles
County’s Medical-Legal Community Partnership (“MLCP”). The Staff Attorney will primarily assist
MLCP participants and will also respond to individuals requesting assistance through MHAS’
General Intake line as needed. Through both projects, MHAS assists participants with legal
issues to ensure that they have the resources and support needed to achieve better health
outcomes and overall well-being. The ideal candidate will be expected to respond quickly to
intakes in a wide range of subject areas including mental health law, housing, public benefits,
consumer law, special education, and tickets and expungement. Other responsibilities will
include providing legal training and technical assistance to both staff and clients at our
partner agencies. The attorney will also take on such other client and policy work from time
to time as deemed appropriate to MHAS’ mission and client goals.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:
1. Providing competent legal assistance to clients through advice and counsel, research and
writing, negotiation, administrative advocacy, and court advocacy;
2. Developing expertise in a broad range of poverty law issues;
3. Maintaining a caseload in an organized and efficient manner;
4. Creating training materials as assigned;

5. Providing technical assistance and training to stakeholders;
6. Assisting with project administration;
7. Participating in policy advocacy projects; and
8. Assisting with other projects and tasks as identified related to MHAS’ mission.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1. J.D. degree and membership in California State Bar.
2. 0 to 3 years of attorney experience.
3. Commitment and sensitivity to the rights of people with mental health disabilities and other
vulnerable populations.
4. Excellent legal research skills.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills with attention to detail.
6. Excellent organizational skills.
7. Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time, and meet deadlines.
8. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
9. Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work well with diverse social, economic, and
ethnic groups.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Spanish language fluency or proficiency helpful but not required. (Bilingual pay supplement of
up to $100 per month, subject to language testing.)
2. Experience advocating on behalf of vulnerable populations.

FRINGE BENEFITS AND WORK CULTURE:
On January 1, 2023, MHAS proudly and permanently adopted a four-day work week. After completing a
six-month trial of a four-day work week in 2022, MHAS found what almost all other companies that
have moved to a four-day work week have found: the four-day work week improves organization
productivity and employee health, reduces gender inequality, and creates a more sustainable
work environment. All full-time MHAS employees, including this position, work four,
eight-hour days per week. Candidates seeking part- time employment may also apply. The MHAS office
is closed on Fridays.

Other benefits include paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; employee health, dental,
vision, long term disability, and life insurance; and parking/transit fare reimbursement.

MHAS is proud of its collegial, family-friendly culture that respects the work/life balance of its
employees. To that end, MHAS is willing to consider flexible work schedules on a case- by-case
basis. MHAS also provides employees with frequent wellness opportunities, including
trainings on stress management and mindfulness, group meditations, and regular, informal staff
gatherings.

MHAS attorneys work remotely with access to the MHAS headquarters office as needed. MHAS equips all
employees working from home with needed technology and other office supplies. The Staff Attorney
will be required to live in the Los Angeles area, conduct in-person work at partner organization sites up to one day per week, and occasionally attend in-person
meetings as needed.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION:
Mental Health Advocacy Services seeks to fill all positions with people who share our values,
including our organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage all
interested individuals to apply – especially people of color; women; people from low- income
backgrounds; people experiencing mental health and/or physical disabilities; people who are
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, or non-binary; immigrants; people who
have been affected by mass incarceration; and people from other underrepresented and historically
marginalized groups. We believe that the resulting diversity is both a source of program
strength and a matter of fundamental human fairness.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE: Submit the following to info@mhas-la.org (state “Employment
Application” in subject line):
1. Resume; and
2. Cover letter discussing any and/or all of the following:
• your motivation for seeking the position,
• your interest in working with people with mental health disabilities,
• how you meet the minimum qualifications, and/or
• how your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to
contribute to our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

MHAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without
regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation,
veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, mental or physical disability, or any
other basis protected by law.