Staff Attorney Restraining Order Clinic at South County Family Justice Center

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program is actively recruiting for a full-time Staff Attorney with family law experience to join our team. This position will be located at the South County’s Family Justice Center (FJC) and will provide top-quality legal advice and representation to low-income San Diegans seeking domestic violence and other types of restraining orders as part of a team of service providers addressing the myriad needs of survivors seeking protection for themselves and their loved ones.  The Staff Attorney is also responsible for mentoring, training, recruiting, and supervising the work of pro bono attorneys providing representation to SDVLP clients; performing community outreach and education to the legal community and local social service providers; and supervising the work of non-attorney staff.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1983, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, Inc. (SDVLP) is the oldest and most comprehensive pro bono legal services program in San Diego County.  SDVLP’s mission is to provide equal access to the justice system by serving as a bridge between indigent and other disadvantaged people in San Diego County and the volunteer lawyers who are willing to donate their time and resources.  

Our team of talented and passionate advocates is collegial, supportive, and committed to providing top-quality legal services to indigent, vulnerable San Diegans.  

The South County Family Justice Center is a one-stop-shop for survivors of abuse and other forms of victimization. The team at the FJC provides comprehensive, no-cost services to crime victims, including restraining order assistance, safety planning, trauma therapy, assistance with access to healthcare and food, and navigation to shelter and housing.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

The Staff Attorney will be responsible for: 

• Preparing restraining orders for victims of abuse and providing related legal advice.  
• Preparing self-represented litigants for restraining order hearings. 
• Maintaining a small representation caseload in restraining order cases. 
• Mentoring, training, and supervising pro bono attorneys drafting requests for domestic violence and other types of restraining orders and representing SDVLP clients in their restraining order hearings.
• Recruiting new pro bono attorney volunteers through community outreach and attendance at networking events.  
• Working collaboratively with the FJC team and other community providers to ensure client receives available wraparound services.
• Attending provider meetings at the FJC.
• Developing and maintaining written training materials for pro bono attorneys.
• Maintaining knowledge of other legal services programs to provide targeted referrals for issues outside the scope of SDVLP programs. 
• Training and supervising non-attorney staff.  
• Managing and compiling statistical data and assisting with the drafting of narrative reports to funding sources.
• Engaging in other tasks and projects as needed to further SDVLP’s mission.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• This position is located at the South County Family Justice Center, in National City, California.
• The clinic is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Ability to travel to court hearings and SDVLP’s other offices throughout San Diego County, as necessary.  

SALARY & BENEFITS: 

• Salary range is $77,000 – $82,000, DOE.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits; ability to participate in 401(K) with employer contribution.
• Sick, vacation, and holiday pay provided.  
• No billable hours requirement.  

SDVLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

• Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar. 
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have excellent mentoring and teaching skills.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to successfully work as part of a team, and with the public, volunteers, court personnel, government agencies, and partner organizations.
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with accuracy and minimal direction.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required by events and deadlines.
• Excellent Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income and disadvantaged people.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Two years of family law experience, preferred. 
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish preferred.