Community Legal Aid SoCal provides free legal services to qualifying low-income residents of Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles County. Its legal team works across family law, housing, consumer defense, public benefits, health, immigration, and senior issues, combining counseling and representation with self-help resources, community education, advocacy, and efforts to address systemic barriers. The organization emphasizes language access and holistic client care to help people navigate the justice system.
Staff Attorney, Family Law
Represent low-income clients in family law matters at Community Legal Aid SoCal, a nonprofit serving Southern California. The role combines litigation, client counseling, community outreach, and policy advocacy.
Description
- Manage family law cases through resolution, providing full or limited representation and assistance to self-represented clients.
- Draft pleadings, motions, declarations, trial briefs, legal memoranda, correspondence, and other case documents.
- Interview clients and prepare them to testify or represent themselves in court.
- Conduct discovery, including drafting requests and responses and taking or defending depositions.
- Negotiate and draft settlement agreements.
- Represent clients in court, including contested hearings, primarily in southern Los Angeles County and potentially elsewhere in Los Angeles or Orange County.
- Advise clients with compassion and maintain clear, consistent communication.
- Research legal issues and investigate cases.
- Keep accurate case files, notes, and daily time records in Legal Server.
- Partner with community groups, conduct outreach, and deliver community education presentations and materials.
- Advance policy initiatives and work with community organizations on campaigns.
- Oversee the legal work of paralegals, law students, interns, and volunteers as needed.
- Identify related legal needs and coordinate with CLA SoCal’s legal teams.
- Bring and demonstrate a multicultural perspective in the work.
- Carry out other duties assigned by the organization.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor degree.
- Active California Bar membership in good standing.
- Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, current insurance, and ability to travel frequently within and around the service area.
- Preferred: knowledge of family law, including domestic violence restraining orders, marriage dissolution, legal separation or nullity, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, general civil motions, and civil procedure.
- Preferred: litigation experience representing clients in family law hearings, motion practice, and discovery.
- Preferred: experience serving vulnerable communities, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other trauma.
- Strongly preferred: spoken and written proficiency in Spanish.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong work ethic, initiative, organization, time management, and ability to meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Ability to identify legal issues and provide timely counsel and advice.
- Strong interpersonal and client communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, and OneNote, as well as XSpouse.
- Ability to serve a diverse client base using client-centered and trauma-informed approaches.
- Commitment to CLA SoCal’s mission and values.
Benefits
- Workweek may be as short as 35 hours.
- 16 paid holidays and paid time off, including wellness days, starting on the first day.
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus long-term disability coverage.
- 401(k) plan with employer contribution.
- Student loan reimbursement program.
- Additional pay for qualified bilingual staff.
- A hybrid schedule may be available once the program is established.