Staff Attorney - Systemic​/Impact Litigation

Overview

Job Title:

Systemic/Impact Staff Attorney

FLSA:
Exempt

Reports To:

Practice Group Director

Supervises:
Paralegals and Legal Secretaries as required

Pay Range: 78,000 – 115,000 Depending on Experience

Interested in honing your litigation skills while navigating complex and nuanced legal issues that impact thousands of folks in Riverside and San Bernardino counties? Do you have a passion for activating and educating potential community leaders so that they may navigate bureaucracy and make impactful change in their communities? Join ICLS’ systemic impact litigation team and truly make a difference that benefits thousands of folks residing in our communities.

Advocating for Justice on behalf of ICLS clients is done in the community and the approach is multi-faceted. As an attorney, you will work with other experienced attorneys on the Systemic Practice Group (and truly all of ICLS attorneys) to discuss case trends, negotiations, litigation strategy, and have the opportunity for mentorship. You will also work with paralegals, community advocates, and administrative support staff to help manage client files and prepare simple legal pleadings.

You’ll also get the opportunity to expand your legal network by working collaboratively with Pro Bono volunteers, participating in local bar association events (which ICLS will pay for), and engaging with the civil legal aid community at local, statewide, and national levels.

To be successful the staff attorney should have the following qualities:

• Willingness to learn from and work with others
• Patience with clients and self
• Easy to talk to and approachable for staff, clients, and the community ICLS serves
• Openness to communicate challenges and express gratitude to colleagues
• Determination to get the best outcome for clients
• Curiosity and desire to learn about client experiences that led to the legal issue, including systemic injustices
• Passion and dedication to access justice via civil legal aid
• Hard-working but values work-life balance, with boundaries
• Healthy and sustainable practice to manage stress and vicarious trauma (or willingness to learn practices)
• Community-centered and inquisitive
• Passion for learning and personal/professional growth
• Interest in mentorship for self and others as experience is gained

• Active listening skills
• Trauma-informed interviewing skills
• Legal writing and research skills
• Courtroom/trial experience (will be gained at ICLS for those with limited experience)
• Analytical skills
• Willingness to learn and be mentored
• Bilingual (preferred)
• Negotiation

Legal work expectations:

• Interview and counsel clients
• Represent and negotiate on the client’s behalf at civil and administrative proceedings (e.g., unlawful detainers, consumer debt, public benefits, health law) as identified by the practice group
• Research complex and nuanced legal issues impacting the Riverside and San Bernardino counties service area
• Familiarize with Legal Services Corporation regulations and other funder requirements as appropriate
• Follow state law regarding civil and administrative procedures, including deadlines and hearing scheduling
• Draft pleadings and documents including writs of mandamus, complaints, briefs, motions, and memoranda
• Attend and lead litigation meetings with program advocates, community partners, and co-counsel as assigned
• Act as co-counsel on complex litigation and provide mentorship and training to attorneys in complex litigation skills
• Attend community meetings to ensure compliance with state/local ordinances affecting clientele
• Identify underserved communities and connect with them to provide community legal education
• Participate in litigation meetings with other practice groups to identify case trends and opportunities to co-counsel
• Work with outside co-counsel as lead attorney for ICLS on complex litigation
• Maintain files in good order with pleadings, correspondence, and client documents
• File or develop for filing at least 4 affirmative cases, 3 motions, and conduct 5 hearings/trials/mediations/arbitrations (note: lower volume for more complex cases)
• Manage a caseload including at least 10 extended services cases and at least 10 counsel-and-advise/brief-service cases

The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering a diverse environment. Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

EEO statement:
Inland Counties Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer.