CCLS Staff Attorney - Medical Legal Partnership

Reports to
Supervising Attorney  

FLSA Status

Full-Time, Exempt (Union position)

Application Deadline  

Until Filled 

Salary 

$71,194 to $110,565 per year  

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Central California Legal Services (CCLS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1966 for the purpose of providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals.  CCLS core counties include Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. CCLS’s health work also extends to Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Stanislaus counties. In Madera County, CCLS provides limited services to seniors and on health issues.  CCLS has offices in Fresno, Merced, and Visalia, and satellite offices in Mendota and Los Banos. With nearly one hundred (100) employees, CCLS works to ensure access to justice through the provision of education, direct legal services, and advocacy. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

CCLS seeks a dedicated staff attorney for its Medical-Legal Partnership for Children and Families (MLP). The MLP is a team of dedicated advocates who work together in partnership with medical professionals to address health-harming legal needs before they become emergencies. The MLP staff attorney will work with local medical providers, train and respond to questions from medical providers and social workers, and provide legal advice and representation to patients referred by the providers. More specifically, the MLP staff attorney will spend at least two days per week onsite at the medical provider to screen patients for health- harming civil legal aid needs, attend clinical meetings with healthcare providers, and conduct intake and case placement for patients identified as needing civil legal aid services. The attorney will also be expected to handle a caseload of related cases. 

DUTIES

• Interview prospective clients, assess legal problems, and identify appropriate legal advice and next steps.
• Conduct factual investigation and analysis, and legal research when appropriate.
• Prepare legal documents, pleadings, and motions.
• Communicate with clients as needed and in accordance with applicable rules. 
• Represent clients in the courts, before administrative agencies, and other appropriate forums.
• Manage related clinics and outreach events.
• Train clinic staff to spot legal problems affecting patients’ health.
• Strategize with MLP staff on ways to better serve MLP clients and expand services. 
• Identify systemic issues with which CCLS and the healthcare provider can partner.
• Collect and analyze health care provider referral data and case outcomes to demonstrate fiscal impact to healthcare system. 
• Draft reports and coordinate meetings of healthcare provider stakeholders. 
• Participate in the development and improvement of the MLP model statewide and nationally and travel to MLP trainings and convenings as needed.
• Work with the grants team to apply for funding opportunities to further MLP models.
• Maintain all client files, records, and other data as required in the case management system. 
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous timekeeping for all work activities.
• Participate in weekly case review meetings, carry out administrative responsibilities as a CCLS employee in a prompt and thorough manner (including following payroll and reimbursement request procedures), as well as grant-related data and document requirements. Adhere to CCLS policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
• Experience working with underrepresented clients and meaningful practice experience in state and federal courts.
• Experience in housing law is preferred. 
• Working knowledge of eviction defense, housing conditions, public housing, utility problems and fair housing preferred though not required.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to working in a collaborative, team-based setting.
• Ability and willingness to make decisions and solve problems creatively under tight deadlines.
• High level of initiative and ability to plan.
• Demonstrable organizational skills in managing complex workload.
• Commitment to CCLS’s mission and core values. 
• Ability to work calmly in fast-paced environments with vulnerable and stressed populations. 
• Must pass a background check with the California Department of Managed Health Care.
• Ability to travel as needed and proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.

CCLS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, other non-merit factor or any categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply. CCLS is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.