Attorney, Pro Bono

Who We Are 

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (“Law Foundation”) is dedicated to advancing the rights of historically excluded individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County. Through our legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach, we empower over 10,000 individuals and families each year. Our Housing, Children & Youth, Health and Pro Bono Programs use legal advocacy as a catalyst for social change, creating innovative solutions to the legal challenges facing low-income communities in our region. With a dedicated team of over 85 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. Learn more at https://www.lawfoundation.org/ . 

The Opportunity 

We are excited to offer an opportunity for an Attorney to join our Pro Bono Program at Law Foundation. The Pro Bono Program leverages the talents of attorneys and staff from law firms and corporate legal departments to help more clients than we could with just our in-house attorneys. Our pro bono attorney volunteers dedicate their time and expertise to provide high-quality legal services. Our non-attorney pro bono volunteers also provide a wide variety of services in the areas of paralegal support, website and graphic design, forensics, and data analysis.

The Nonprofit Protection Project Attorney will provide critical legal and technical support to nonprofits navigating the new administration’s policies related to immigration enforcement, DEI initiatives, and other critical issues. Community-based nonprofits, including community-led organizing and advocacy groups, need clear guidance, tools, and resources to stay informed and effectively respond in these uncertain times. This full-time position is a two-year fellowship that starts on July 1 and reports to the Pro Bono Directing Attorney.

What You’ll Do 

The Attorney  will: 

• Provide legal assistance and technical support to nonprofit, organizations, prioritizing matters related to serving immigrants and diverse groups, as well as matters pertaining to federal action that impedes equity-related work and social change.
• Regularly update the nonprofit community about the effects of the changing federal landscape in coordination with partner Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN), in the context of an ongoing blog spot in SVCN’s newsletter and other platforms and direct communiqués with SVCN members as appropriate. 
• Collaborate with other legal services providers and the larger legal community to recruit a network of pro bono attorneys who will provide legal advice and counsel to nonprofits.  
• Issue spot legal challenges for nonprofits and consult with pro bono attorneys about the best course of action. 
• Engage pro bono support for one-on-one legal consultation with nonprofits, if possible. 
• Identify and actively seek opportunities for collaboration and coalition-building among legal service organizations and community-based organizations doing similar work.
• Engage pro bono partners to help create and deliver educational programming and substantive legal trainings to a variety of audience members including individual clients and community-based organizations.  
• Collaborate with other Law Foundation team members to assist with program priorities and goals, oversight, and administration of project.
• Support program and organization-wide initiatives, including race equity.  
• Participate in the Law Foundation’s systemic change efforts, including policy advocacy, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure a seamless and people-centered approach to service delivery. 

Job Requirements 

• Applicants must be current members in good standing with the California State Bar.  
• Minimum of seven years of experience in transactional law, ideally nonprofit governance.  
• Knowledge of nonprofit organizations and experience in nonprofit corporate governance, employment, compliance, and funding laws and regulations.  
• Experience with nonprofit finance and funding. 
• Experience with interpreting complex rules and regulations into information for lay people. 
• Desire to make a positive impact in spaces that serve immigrants and under-resourced communities. 
• Ability to identify, investigate and resolve case-specific problems.
• Ability to analyze, write and present ideas and legal concepts clearly and concisely.  
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and perform well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.  
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team, both internal and external to the Law Foundation.  
• Deep commitment to and passion for the vision and mission of the Law Foundation.  
• Experience in policy advocacy.  
• Ability to effectively coordinate legal work in a fast-paced and high-volume environment.  
• Ability to work with community-based organizations, government agencies, and decision-makers such as members of the City Council.  
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to create a culture of feedback and continual improvement.  
• Commitment to race equity work and incorporating race equity principles into systemic change work.  
• Committed to racial equity, inclusion and belonging and able recognize the ways that race, and other identities intersect in the work, especially for communities we serve 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, or capacity to pick up new computer skills 

What We Offer 

This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to the Directing Attorney of Pro Bono. The annual salary range for this role is $80,400 to $108,400.  

We are committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and professional development of our team members. To that end, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefit package, which includes: 

• 19 paid holidays per year 
• 3-5 weeks of vacation per year 
• 12 days of sick leave per year 
• Up to 6 months of parental leave 
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums 
• Free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents through our Employee Assistance Program 
• An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job 
• An annual budget for professional development 
• Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees 
• The flexibility to work a hybrid schedule 
• An office building that offers a fully equipped gym, outdoor terrace, convenient on-site parking, bike storage, lounge areas, and 24/7 security 

Workplace Expectations 

Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace. Please note that the Attorney may be expected to work in our San Jose office a minimum of 2 days/week.   

Employees must be California State residents. Due to logistical challenges regarding taxes, insurance, and time zones, we are not able to consider staff in other states at this time. 

Working At Law Foundation 

Law Foundation is a unionized workplace, and members of the bargaining unit are represented by SEIU Local 521. This position is part of the bargaining unit.  

Additionally, Law Foundation is strongly committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for our staff, volunteers, clients, and partners. To achieve this goal, the Law Foundation actively works to improve communications, community engagement, systems and structures, and office culture to create an inclusive and respectful workplace where differences are acknowledged and valued. 

We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. Law Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal legal system, or any other basis prohibited by law. 

Application Process 

Application materials must include: 

• A cover letter that addresses the following: How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity among our staff?
• A resume 
• Contact information for three professional references. We will always ask for your consent and inform you before contacting any of your references.  

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority review will be given to applications received by June 2, 2025. Please note that our interview process includes interviewing by phone, video, and/or in-person. 

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team that values people, trust, accountability, creativity, joy, and fun, we would love to hear from you!