Posted on August 21, 2012

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Time Ltd., Full-Time SOVA Project Staff Attorney

Description: Bet Tzedek is currently searching for a full-time, time-limited Staff Attorney (Attorney I) to work exclusively with its SOVA Project. Working under the supervision of the Directing Attorney, the SOVA staff attorney will regularly visit SOVA Food Pantry sites in Greater Los Angeles to conduct intake and provide ongoing representation regarding a wide range of legal services, facilitate pro bono legal clinics, conduct presentations, and provide general outreach and education regarding a wide range of legal services included in our practice areas. This position provides an opportunity to exercise creative thinking and project implementation skills in order to identify areas of growth and build upon the current foundation of this Project.

Bet Tzedek is one of the nation's premier poverty law centers. Each year we help thousands of low-income Angelenos of every racial and religious background achieve equal access to justice. Bet Tzedek has created and continues to refine unique programs that address the major problems confronting the more than two million Angelenos disenfranchised by poverty. With a staff of 65 and more than 1,000 volunteers, Bet Tzedek combines direct representation with outreach, education, and advocacy to secure the basic necessities of life, including employment, housing, healthcare, and public benefits.

Salary: This is a full-time, time-limited union exempt position. Attorney I: $50,625 - 71,163. This position offers a generous benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Bet Tzedek Legal Services hires staff without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or disability.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Work with Directing Attorney to implement and evaluate project, and identify opportunities for growth;
• Establish and maintain relationships with community partners;
• Conduct intake interviews to assess the needs of individuals and/or their families; participate in weekly case reviews, make recommendations regarding representation and follow-up in civil and administrative law matters;
• Represent clients in judicial, administrative and non-adversarial proceedings;
• Facilitate and conduct legal clinics onsite using pro bono attorneys and/or paralegals;
• Provide presentations and general outreach;
• Follow proper case management procedures, which include, but are not limited to, timely case opening, accurate case coding, timely and accurate entry of case time, and all other administrative duties as required by Bet Tzedek's process;
• This position requires ½ day, one Sunday per month;
• Perform other assignments and work on projects as needed or assigned and as consistent with the classification.

General Qualifications:

• Attorney I -- Minimum of one year litigation experience; be an active member of the State Bar of California for a minimum of one year;
• Entrepreneurial, creative problem-solver;
• Experience in project design and implementation preferred;
• Experience working with volunteers preferred;
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment and work closely with staff attorneys;
• Strong writing and organizational skills;
• Ability to interact with a wide range of clients in a kind, appropriate manner.

Language Skills:

• Spanish language skills preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to read, analyze and interpret general legal/business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Demonstrated ability to write reports, business correspondence and other legal materials as required by position, and to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, managers and the general public.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet and internet research; Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), WordPerfect, and legal database software (Prime, Lexis Automated Legal Forms/HotDocs).

Personal Skills: In addition to the above, to be successful at this position, an individual should demonstrate an understanding and a personal expression of, and a commitment to, our organizational core values (see below), as well as have an understanding and enjoyment of working in a team-oriented environment:

• Leadership: Seeks to lead through excellence in work product, and in relationships with colleagues and others; strives for open communication with all and seeks to show leadership through collaboration;
• Community: Deep understanding that integrity and respect are the only ways to truly reach people; continually explores ways to unite colleagues in the pursuit of social justice;
• Innovation: Demonstrates courage in action by being honest and open no matter what the topic; shows creativity of thought and is curious about new and challenging ways to further our mission.

To Apply: Email cover letter, resume, writing sample, and employment application to resume@bettzedek.org. To download an employment application, visit our website at www.bettzedek.org.