Staff Attorney

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 employees is collegial, supportive, and committed to providing top-quality legal services to indigent, vulnerable San Diegans.

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, Inc. seeks a full-time Staff Attorney with public interest experience to join our team.  The staff attorney hired for this position will be assigned to SDVLP’s HIV/AIDS Legal Services Program and Family Law Program. 

The Staff Attorney provides top-quality legal advice and representation to low-income San Diegans in a variety of civil legal matters. Within the Family Law Program, areas of assistance include domestic violence restraining orders, child custody, and divorce cases. Within the HIV/AIDS Legal Services Program, the Staff Attorney assists low-income clients living with HIV/AIDS with a variety of legal matters that impact their health, such as public benefit appeals, Social Security disability hearings, estate planning, and disability discrimination in housing.

Our family law programs include the Vision for Justice Collaborative, which provides family law assistance to immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence, our Domestic Violence Restraining Order Program, and our Shriver Program, which provides legal assistance to low-income San Diegans in child custody and domestic violence cases.

The Staff Attorney will work closely with SDVLP’s Pro Bono team and will be responsible for mentoring, training, recruiting, and supervising the work of pro bono attorneys representing SDVLP clients. The Staff Attorney will also perform community outreach and education and supervise the work of non-attorney staff and law student interns. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
The Staff Attorney will be responsible for:

• Representing clients in HIV-related matters, such as Social Security disability appeals, disability discrimination, and advance health care directives.
• Advising clients in family law matters, including domestic violence, child custody, and divorce cases. Mentoring, training, and supervising pro bono attorneys.
• Recruiting new pro bono attorney volunteers through community outreach and attendance at networking events.
• Developing and maintaining written training materials for pro bono attorneys.
• Maintaining a small representation caseload within each program.
• 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.

• Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have excellent mentorship 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.
• Ability to travel to court hearings and SDVLP’s other offices throughout San Diego County, as necessary.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position is a hybrid position requiring the ability to work on site a minimum of 2-3 days per week.
• Work hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; minimum 37.50-hour work week.    
• No billable hours requirement.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

• Medical, dental, and vision - eligibility for health care coverage on the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. Dependent coverage available.
•  Life insurance coverage.
• 401K retirement plan with employer match after 6 months of employment.
• 15 days paid annual leave (increases to 20 days after 2 years), 10 days paid sick leave, 16 paid holidays and other time off programs.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• SDVLP is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• 1-2 years of experience, preferred.
• Spanish written and speaking ability, preferred.

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.