Attorney – Self Help Center Workgroup
- Posted
- 19 days ago
- Employment type
- Full-Time
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Closing date
About this organization
LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future.
Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit our website.
About this job
The Self-Help Legal Access Centers assist individuals who represent themselves (regardless of income or immigration status); and offers legal information, help with preparing court forms, and guidance on a variety of civil legal matters. They also provide referrals to private attorneys or legal services programs as needed.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney – Self Help Center.
NOTE: This role requires the candidate to work onsite 5 days a week.
Roles & responsibilities
- Meet with self-represented litigants onsite at the Santa Monica Courthouse Self-Help Legal Access Center to ensure meaningful access to the civil justice system.
- Provide direct litigant assistance, including educating litigants on court rules and procedures, reviewing and preparing court forms and documents, and referring to outside agencies when necessary.
- Create and conduct in-person workshops for litigants with landlord-tenant, family law, and/or consumer matters.
- Develop and maintain plain language self-help materials.
- Collaborate closely with court staff and legal service partner agencies to carry out coordinated assistance.
- Perform community and partner outreach to promote self-help resources and provide legal education.
- In coordination with the LAFLA Pro Bono Director and Self-Help Managing Attorney, recruit, train and supervise volunteer attorneys, law students, JusticeCorps members, and community volunteers.
- Assist at other onsite Self-Help Legal Access Centers, as well as with the remote Self-Help Center hotline, as needed.
Qualifications
- Active membership in the California State Bar.Familiarity with landlord-tenant law, family law, and/or consumer law preferred.
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the proven ability to relate to diverse individuals with respect and humility on a consistent basis.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse staff and partners, including court and judicial staff, volunteers, and community-based organizations.
- Demonstrated commitment to LAFLA’s community-driven mission and priorities.
- Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.0-hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when obligations so necessitate.
- Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
To apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume online to shwgjobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney – Self-Help SM” in the subject line.