Staff Attorney - Health (Economic Justice)

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. We serve over 10,000 individuals and families each year through our Housing Program, Children & Youth Program, and Health Program. With a staff of 90 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area.

The Health Program provides free legal advice and representation to individuals living in Santa Clara County who identify as having mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, and/or HIV/AIDS. We also provide free legal help through medical-legal partnerships, and to people experiencing housing instability. We approach our work with a deep commitment to addressing social determinants of health, mental health empowerment, and community-driven advocacy. We welcome new and experienced legal advocates to join our team of dedicated, passionate lawyers as we work together to support health equity for historically excluded residents in Santa Clara County. 

What You'll Do

The Health Staff Attorney - Economic Justice manages a caseload of direct services clients and broader advocacy efforts. Key responsibilities include:

• Represent and advise clients on Social Security appeals, public benefits, and other poverty-related issues (including SSDI, SSI, and Medi-Cal) to help clients achieve economic justice and receive entitled benefits.
• Plan and deliver community trainings, education, and outreach on topics related to economic justice.
• Engage in community-based advocacy, coalitions, system reform, pre-litigation, and legislative efforts that concern or impact Health Unit clients.
• Provide legal advice and represent clients from the Law Foundation’s Medical-Legal Partnership with the Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center, including providing onsite staffing at medical clinics throughout the county.
• Represent clients in locked psychiatric facilities in civil commitment and forced-medication hearings.
• Ensure compliance with patients’ rights laws, including laws governing the use of seclusion, restraint, and involuntary medication, and due process requirements for involuntary mental health treatment.
• Assist with client intake, referrals, and administrative tasks such as data entry, as needed.
• Participate in Law Foundation activities, such as program meetings, special events, and fundraisers.
• Assist underserved populations, including communities of color, LGBTQIA+ community, immigrant/refugee communities, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and/or mental health disabilities, unstably housed individuals, people using drugs, and system-impacted individuals in line with the Law Foundation’s Race Equity Inclusion principles.

Who You Are

• Member of the California Bar, otherwise eligible to practice law in California, or are sitting for the next California bar exam (recent graduates and mid to senior level attorneys encouraged to apply).
• Prior experience or a general understanding of economic justice issues and public benefits preferred.
• Have a passion for social justice and race equity.
• Able to work sensitively and productively to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, research, writing, analytical, interviewing, and organizational skills.
• Able to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Excellent time and caseload management skills.
• Have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to attend hearings, home visits, medical-legal partnership clinics, and outreach events.
• Basic computer proficiency and willingness to learn new technology as needed. 
• Bilingual in English and Spanish or Vietnamese (preferred).
• Interest or passion for community-driven advocacy, policy advocacy, and/or impact litigation preferred.

What We Offer

The salary scale for this position is $64,600 - $99,320; compensation based upon bar admission date and comparable experience. The work schedule for this exempt position is 35 hours/week. All compensation is determined by the wage table of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and LFSV. 

Excellent benefits are provided, including:

• 19 paid holidays per year
• 3 weeks of vacation in the first and second year, 4 weeks after the second year, and 5 weeks after five years
• 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 after the first year of employment
• 2 weeks of paid educational leave for those scheduled to take the California Bar Examination
• A paid sabbatical after 5 years of employment
• An annual budget for professional development
• An additional monthly stipend for bilingual employees who utilize their language abilities for their job
• The option to work a hybrid schedule (candidates must be available to commute to the office in San Jose, CA, field work, or hearings 2+ days per week and as needed).