Description:
The LGBTQ+ Program Staff Attorney will help increase access to justice for low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people in rural California, including LGBTQ+ agricultural workers and immigrants. A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group regularly represents LGBTQ+ clients in a variety of types of legal cases, including immigration, education and employment discrimination, access to gender-affirming care, as well as name and gender marker correction petitions. A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group provides legal services, community legal education and leadership development opportunities, builds active, sustained partnerships with rural LGBTQ+ community centers, supportive organizations and public agencies; and monitors and engages local public entities that directly impact LGBTQ+ communities. The attorney will handle LGBTQ+-related cases and non-legal advocacy projects. This position reports directly to the LGBTQ+ Legal Director.Responsibilities:
Direct Legal Services:
- Conduct legal intakes for LGBTQ+ clients.
- Provide brief counsel and advice and full extended services representation for LGBTQ+ clients on issues related to education, employment, health access, and immigration.
- The Staff Attorney will assist other A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group attorneys and community workers on LGBTQ+ related cases.
Impact Advocacy:
- The Staff Attorney will assist in systemic advocacy that may include but is not limited to pre-litigation investigations, litigation, regulatory advocacy and amicus briefing, and community partnerships and collaborations.
Community Education/Outreach:
- Work with the LGBTQ+ Program staff to inform rural LGBTQ+ communities about their civil rights through the development and revision of outreach, community education, and training materials.
- Conduct outreach and training, including making community presentations, attending agency/community meetings, and media appearances as required.
Organizational Capacity Building:
- Conduct workshops and write articles regarding the provision of legal services to low-income LGBTQ+ communities to enhance access to quality LGBTQ+ related legal assistance nationally.
- Support efforts to increase and improve LGBTQ+ related services and training opportunities in the larger legal aid community.
- Cultivate key relationships through outreach and collaboration, and work to increase awareness of the organization.
Leadership Building and Community Support:
- Support local groups engaged in advocacy on behalf of low-income LGBTQ+ communities. The Staff Attorney will foster leadership that is able to effectively engage in intersectional advocacy.
- Other duties as assigned by the LGBTQ+ Legal Director.
Requirements:
- Admission and good standing with the California State Bar or attorney licensed in another state eligible to practice in California under the California Bar's Multijurisdictional Practice Program.
- Familiarity with LGBTQ+-related law, education, employment, healthcare, and/or immigration law.
- Oral and written fluency in Spanish and English.
- Excellent legal research and writing skills, with at least 1 year of litigation experience preferred.
- Knowledge of and experience serving LGBTQ+, rural, immigrant, and low-income clients.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact constructively with diverse populations and survivors of trauma.
- Ability to engage in intersectional advocacy and to bring the lens of intersectionality to A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group's work with clients and community partners.
- Community education experience (developing and delivering workshops and presentations).
- Willingness to travel is required. Travel will be 25-50% on average. Travel costs, including mileage, are reimbursed.
- Willingness to work some evenings and weekend days.
- Data analysis and investigation skills or experience.