Pro Bono Attorney/Manager

$102,800/Annual

Organization Overview:
The Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center (“KGACLC”) is a clinical program of Santa Clara University School of Law.  KGACLC has the dual mission of educating law students to be life-long social justice advocates and providing legal services for the low-income community. KGACLC educates law students in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards by serving individuals and communities in need with competence, conscience and compassion through pro bono legal representation and education.  Law students work under the supervision of experienced attorneys to provide free legal services in the areas of consumer protection, workers’ rights, immigration, and their intersection with human trafficking. Our service delivery model includes 1) community education and outreach, 2) advice clinics, and 3) full-scope and limited-scope representation, including court and administrative hearings. Faculty and staff also serve as leaders in collaborative efforts to increase access to the legal system for low-income individuals and communities and participate in media appearances, presentations, and training events.

KGACLC is located in San Jose, California, approximately 10 minutes from the Santa Clara University campus and 10 minutes from downtown San Jose.  It serves low-income members of the community, primarily from Santa Clara County. Our work brings increased stability, security, and peace of mind for clients and the community.

POSITION PURPOSE

KGACLC seeks an attorney/manager to launch a formal Pro Bono Program (PBP) to expand free legal services for low-income consumers, immigrants, and workers. KGACLC ‘s current service delivery model uses law students working under supervision alongside over a dozen volunteer attorneys. While many more KGACLC alumni contact us to volunteer, we currently lack the capacity to accommodate their assistance. Given the vast unmet need for legal services, the PBP will hire a staff attorney to establish an infrastructure that can harness the ready energy of alumni and other attorney volunteers. This initiative will use technology and other tools to help bridge the justice gap and significantly expand the pool of trained attorneys capable of competently serving vulnerable populations through the PBP and beyond. The PBP will enhance KGACLC’s ability to educate, advocate, and serve our law students and the client community. 

Primary Responsibilities:

The Pro Bono Manager/Attorney, in collaboration with the Executive Director, will be responsible for: 1) Program Development and Oversight, 2) Recruitment, Engagement, and Collaboration, 3) Support, Supervision, and Mentorship, 4) Community Education and Outreach, and 5) Other Duties as Assigned.

Program Development and Oversight

• Apply legal expertise to  Design, launch, and sustain a robust PBP that significantly expands client services and enhances engagement with and opportunities for law students.   

• Implement the internal systems, procedures and processes related to volunteer and pro bono recruitment, case handling, evaluation, and grant reporting. 

• Create and develop substantive legal training materials and guides in partnership with the consumer, immigration, and workers’ rights practice areas.  

• The training protocol will include modules on key topics such as cultural competency, language access, ethics, and economic barriers facing low-income people, to promote a holistic approach to client-centered lawyering.

• Leverage technology to train volunteers, streamline services, and increase accessibility for clients. 

• Compile data and program success stories for marketing, communications, and grant purposes.  

• Participate in fund development efforts to strengthen and maintain the PBP.  

Recruitment, Engagement, and Collaboration

• Identify and recruit volunteer attorneys from a diverse array of legal backgrounds to conduct community education, staff advice clinics, and handle or co-counsel on cases.

• Work with Santa Clara Law’s Office of Career Management and the alumni relations team to outreach to alumni and law students.  

• Develop and maintain relationships with law firms, bar associations, corporations, and other legal entities to encourage their participation in the PBP, to establish long-term partnerships and program offerings for the client community. 

• Respond to inquiries for volunteer participation, requests from applicants seeking information, and volunteer and community partner questions.

• Conduct and oversee outreach, interviewing, onboarding and offboarding of all volunteers.  

Support, Supervision, and Mentorship

• Serve as an ongoing resource, supporting volunteers by answering questions, conducting legal research, providing guidance, and offering feedback as needed, especially for those handling matters in areas of law in which they may have limited experience. 

• Work with the practice area staff to develop, coordinate, and deliver training sessions, creating  resources to evaluate and ensure volunteer attorneys and law students are well-prepared and confident in their roles.

• Assist practice areas in maintaining a ready pool of volunteer attorneys to handle cases, co-counsel, assist with judgment collection efforts, and other legal matters. 

Community Education and Outreach

• Conduce trainings, community education, know your rights, and outreach in Santa Clara County.

Other Duties as Assigned 

• Other similar or related duties consistent with the job description to advance the work of the PBP and office.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred. This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated potential for successful PBP development, oversite, and supervision of volunteer attorneys and law students in a clinical legal setting.

• Case management, legal research, and legal writing skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication and advocacy skills

• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines under pressure, including a well-developed attention to detail and follow-through

• Ability to exercise patience and understanding, communicate effectively and work comfortably with a wide range of groups including clients, students, faculty and staff, community members, volunteers, and other KGACLC stakeholders.

• Possess a positive attitude, sense of humor, and flexibility.

• Collaborative team-player but can take initiative, work independently, exercise good judgment, and make decisions based on established procedures.

• Demonstrated strong active listening skills and ability to negotiate positive outcomes.

• Appreciation for and understanding of the principles of Jesuit education and commitment to KGACLC’s mission and goals.

• Respectful of all people regardless of socioeconomic background, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender or gender identity.

• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and willingness to learn other software.

• Requires ability to travel independently to various locations within Santa Clara County (mileage is reimbursed).

• Flexible work hours, ability to work some evenings and weekends.

Education and Experience: 

• Member of the State Bar of California in good standing  

• At least 2 to 5 years of law practice experience 

• Experience working in one of KGACLC’s practice areas and/or enthusiasm to learn

• Strong interest in working with law students and clinical education

• Spanish proficiency preferred, other languages including ASL welcome

• Understanding of social justice issues related to poverty law and equity, with a strong appreciation for pro bono legal services.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities.  A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal. 

• Will be required to travel to other buildings on the campus and community locations for presentations and other events.

• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.

• May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers.

• Will be required to work occasional night and weekend events in support of clinic activities.

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

(Examples)

• Typical office environment.

• Offices with frequent interruptions.

EEO Statement​

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer.  For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).     

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services  website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.