SAFE (Family Law) Staff Attorney

We are looking for a Survivor and Family Empowerment (SAFE - Family Law) Staff Attorney to join our team in Los Angeles/Orange County!

WHO WE ARE

We are the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Our mission is to advocate for civil rights, provide legal services and education, and build coalitions to positively influence and impact AAPIs and to create a more equitable and harmonious society. We serve more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year, focusing on the most vulnerable members of AAPI communities while also building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, and serve our communities all across the country.

WHAT WE BRING

• The special opportunity to join a mission-driven team.
• Flexible, hybrid work schedules.
• Rich medical, dental and vision benefits.
• Retirement options through 403B and match.

WHO YOU ARE

You share our mission of advocacy for AAPIs. You enjoy the thrill of serving the public interest while championing civil rights and social justice. You take pride in your work enriching lives and communities in Los Angeles and across the country. You are looking for your next role in an organization that supports your career as much as you support the organization and its goals. You are looking for a job where you make a difference, and your impact is directly proportional to your contribution. You are a game changer. You are a leader. You are an advocate.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Juris Doctorate and active membership in good standing with the California State Bar
• Commitment to public interest work, civil rights, and community empowerment. 
• 2 years of experience representing low-income clients.  
• 2 years of experience in family law.
• Experience working in nonprofit organizations. 
• Language proficiency in an Asian language.  
• Familiarity with AAPI communities and culturally informed practices.   

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Staff Attorney provides legal counseling and representation for clients in Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California’s (AJSOCAL) Survivor and Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project. The SAFE Project focuses on assisting domestic violence, elder abuse, and civil harassment survivors that are indigent, have limited English proficiency, and immigrants with their family law matters. This includes conducting legal research and writing, preparing court forms, and managing their own family law case load.  The SAFE Staff Attorney also participates in community outreach efforts, legal clinics, presentations and workshops, and meeting with clients and their communities to survivors to navigate the legal system and obtain support. This is a fixed term position and IS covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

70% Client Representation and Support 

• Represent domestic violence/elder abuse/civil harassment survivor clients in their family law matters, including: restraining order, dissolution of marriage, parentage, child custody, and child support cases. 
• Counsel clients regarding legal remedies and forms of relief.  
• Prepare client applications, forms, and filings. 
• Conduct legal research and writing, draft legal briefs, memoranda, and pleadings.  
• Prepare clients for their upcoming hearings/trials.  
• Represent clients at their upcoming hearings.  
• Coordinate client services with other attorneys and other units.   
• All other duties as assigned.   

25% Community Education and Outreach 

• Recruit, train, and mentor pro bono attorneys, law students, and other volunteers 
• Coordinate client services with legal interns, legal assistant/advocate, pro bono attorneys, volunteers, and community partner organizations.  
• Coordinate and conduct education and outreach presentations at community forums and trainings. 
• Develop and revise unit material including training manuals and client brochures. 
• Conduct community legal clinics. 

5% Grant reporting and Administrative Duties 

• Assist with reports to meet funding and reporting requirements. 
• Perform administrative duties including but not limited to inputting intakes into centralized database and filing closed intakes.  
• All other duties as assigned.  

At AJSOCAL, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce, and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. AJSOCAL strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or other covered persons, including interns.

All positions are subject to funding, and non-collective bargaining unit positions are also at will.