About Senior Legal Services , ()
SLS has provided high-quality, free legal services to elderly residents of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties since 1972. The highest priority of the organization is to defend the right of the elderly to quality health care, social integration, to secure their persons and property, and to be free of discrimination based on age or disability.
DESCRIPTION: The Staff Attorney is the primary client contact for a wide variety of important legal matters for our professional, non-profit law office. The position requires excellent research, writing and communication skills as our legal advocates are critical in helping our clients obtain the access to justice they deserve. The Staff Attorney position upholds a strict level of organization, communication, confidentiality and professionalism.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The representative duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:
Under direct supervision of the Executive Director and/or Supervising Attorney , the Staff Attorney handles all aspects of cases such as:
Ø Intake screening
Ø Interviewing clients about their legal issues
Ø Investigates and conducts legal research
Ø Provides information, advice, community outreach, education, and referrals
Ø Prepares legal forms and correspondence, negotiates settlements with attorneys and administrative agencies, assists in representation of clients at administrative and court hearings.
Ø Maintain client database and prepare statistical reports for grant purposes.
Ø Participate in weekly case review, monthly staff meetings, and other SLS activities.
Ø Maintain contemporaneous time records in case management system.
Ø Engage in professional development, including attending training, engaging in self-study to ensure providing accurate, updating information on legal options and processes surrounding housing law.
Ø Establish and maintain professional relationships interactions with various partnering and community agencies.
Ø Maintain great working relationships and positive communication with all staff.
Ø Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Ø Have active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
Ø Have direct client service experience.
Ø Have excellent writing and oral communication skills.
Ø Sensitive to the needs of elderly clients.
Ø Have some familiarity with Elder Law issues, such as Social Security, SSI, and other areas of the laws handled by SLS.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :
Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to grasp, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is required to sit, walk and stand for extended periods of time. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. The employee must be able to work for 8 hours in close quarters with other employees. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
SLS is committed to diversity and cultivating a culture of equity and inclusion within where all staff can flourish and grow professionally and well beyond. We are an equal employment opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity (including transgender status) or any other basis prohibited by law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $73,500.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Health insurance
Health savings account
Loan forgiveness
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Retirement plan
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
License/Certification:
Bar (Required)
Ability to Commute:
Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
Santa Cruz, CA 95062: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Santa Cruz, CA 95062
