Staff Attorney - Children & Youth (Juvenile Dependency)

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley advances the rights of historically excluded individuals and families across Santa Clara County through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach. Now with over 90 employees, the Law Foundation is the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay. Located in downtown San Jose, the Law Foundation is a dynamic and interesting place to work. We pride ourselves on fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative and fun, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth. We are working towards a Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)-centered legal services practice that incorporates community and movement lawyering. Our focus areas include health, housing, and children and youth.

What You'll Do

As a Juvenile Dependency attorney with our LACY (Legal Advocates for Children & Youth) team, you will represent children and young adults in child welfare proceedings. As a member of our interdisciplinary team, you will work in parity with LACY social workers to assess and advocate for your client’s interests. You will have the opportunity to help young people in our community thrive by giving them a voice in a complex and intimidating system. Frequent court appearances and trial litigation will be required in this position.

Primary Duties

• Provide representation, advocacy, and information for minors in the juvenile dependency system
• Represent minors subject to petitions alleging abuse and neglect
• Courtroom advocacy including uncontested hearings, trials, and mediation
• Work in tandem with a LACY social worker to assess the needs of clients
• Participate in LACY’s regular team meetings, staff meetings, and program development activities
• Assist the LACY Directing Attorney and Supervising Attorney, as needed
• Participate in general office upkeep duties, including computer data entry of intake information, filing, copying, drafting and filing court documents, and serving notices
• Maintain statistics on youth served and billing records
• Aid juvenile dependent minors in other legal areas, including education
• Identify other legal issues for dependent minors and advocate, as appropriate
• Meet with clients in a variety of environments, including office, school, and home settings

Who You Are

• Passion for social justice and race equity, as well as a desire to help underserved populations
• California Bar Membership or Provisional license (individuals awaiting California Bar Exam results are eligible to apply)
• Experience in courtroom advocacy (preferred)
• Demonstrated commitment to the rights of children & youth
• Experience in practice of youth law
• Ability to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems
• An independent, self-starter
• Ability to manage multiple clients in high-stress situations
• Experience with trauma-informed practice and an ability work sensitively and productively with minors who have suffered abuse and neglect
• Valid Driver’s License or other transportation to attend hearings, home visits, and outreach presentations
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills
• Experience working with individuals from multiethnic communities is desired

Physical Requirements

• Frequent use of computer keyboard.
• Use of office equipment, such as copier, printer, and fax.
• Ability to enter home environments with smoke or other potentially sensitive qualities.

What We Offer

Salary scale is $70,000 - $99,320.92, compensation based upon bar admission date and comparable experience. All compensation determined by the wage table of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and LFSV. Excellent benefits provided, including:

• 19 paid holidays per year
• 3-5 weeks of vacation pre year
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• Up to 6 months of parental leave
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
• A robust Employee Assistance Program that includes free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents
• A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions
• A sabbatical after 5 years of employment
• An annual budget for professional development
• The option to work a hybrid schedule