Self-Help Attorney

The Self-Help Attorney assists self-represented litigants (SRLs) by explaining legal forms and procedures bridging the gap between justice and accessibility. Your primary responsibilities will include one-on-one appointments with SRLs, drafting legal documents, mediating settlement agreements, and educating SRLs to navigate the judicial system effectively. The Self-Help Center provides legal assistance in family law matters, civil restraining orders, unlawful detainers (evictions), small claims, and guardianships and conservatorships. Candidates should expect to be a contributing member of our robust Self-Help Center Team.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist in monitoring and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; coach paralegal and clerical staff in providing and limiting legal information; research and address legal questions posed by other court staff and supervisors; assist in recruiting, training and supervising interns/volunteers.
- Mediate complex family matters such as parentage, child support, temporary or permanent spousal support and divorce issues including property division; and draft clear and legally adequate written agreements.
- Develop and provide direct services to litigants referred by the Court or seeking assistance, including:
     o Meet with litigants to mediate issues of child support, spousal support, property control and division, and maintenance of health insurance.
     o Prepare support calculations using commonly used software and online resources.
     o Prepare formal orders and judgments consistent with the Court’s announced order in cases where both parties are unrepresented.
- Provide educational materials to parents concerning the process of authenticating parentage and establishing, modifying, and enforcing child and spousal support in the courts.
- Conducts workshops for unrepresented litigants.
- Provides direct one-on-one legal assistance to self-represented litigants in family law, civil, and probate cases.
- Distribute necessary court forms and voluntary declarations of paternity; provide assistance in completing forms.
- Prepare correct and accurate child and spousal support calculations using commonly available software programs and online resources.
- Assists in the development and implementation of operational policies and procedures.
- Assists in the planning, implementation, and administration of program activities and evaluates effectiveness of services.
- Participates in court and community activities and committees.
- Identifies community resources helpful to the administration of the self-help center and resources that will meet the legal and non-legal needs of self-represented litigants.
- Provide referrals to the Department of Child Support Services and other community agencies and resources that provide services for parents and children.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 
Graduation from an accredited law school and a member of the California State Bar in good standing;
 
AND
 
One (1) year in the practice of law, which shall include substantial family law, civil, or probate practice including litigation and/or mediation.
 
Note:  One (1) year of experience performing legal work in a court based self-help center while attending law school may be considered as a substitution.  
 
HIGHLY DESIRABLE BUT NOT REQUIRED:  Bilingual Spanish

Complete Job Description:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/placercourts/classspecs/1271752?keywords=self&pagetype=classSpecifications