POSITION: Attorney (DMH) – Medical Legal Partnership Workgroup
LOCATION: Ron Olson Justice Center*
SALARY: $85,000k – $99,437.98k / annually DOE, with excellent benefits
AVAILABILITY: Immediately
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.
Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!
The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.
The Workgroup: LAFLA’s Medical Legal Partnerships work with healthcare provides to identify and help patients reach their optimal health. MLP attorneys and paralegals holistically advocate on behalf of patients in substantive legal areas impacting the social determinants of health such as housing, family law, immigration, government benefits, and re-entry. This is a great opportunity for advocates seeking legal experience in a variety of substantive areas.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney – MLP.
*Assigned location is subject to change during course of employment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Active membership in the California State Bar, preferably with two to three years of experience;
• Substantive knowledge of housing, family law, immigration law, re-entry work, and/or government benefits preferred;
• Ability to work effectively with hospital/health clinic personnel, staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, and community members;
• Demonstrated ability to function professionally and effectively within a highly stressful environment;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Experience with diverse and vulnerable client populations who may be experiencing mental health issues, including disabled, elderly, and limited English proficient communities;
• Experience handling a variety of legal matters impacting poor and low-income populations;
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage a high-volume caseload;
• Must be computer proficient; experience with Outlook, MS Teams, Word, Excel, and Power Point; comfortable with case management systems and similar technology;
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.5-hour workday, including evening and weekends, when obligations so necessitate;
• Commitment to social justice and LAFLA’s community-driven mission and priorities;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and multitask;
• Spanish language skills preferred but not required; and
• Ability to work collaboratively with all LAFLA staff, clients, and community organizations.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
• Meet with prospective clients on-site weekly at Medical Legal Partnership clinic sites;
• Work effectively with medical personnel and in a medical environment to address the social determinants of health;
• Handle an independent caseload, counsel and advise clients on their legal rights, conduct legal research and writing, and represent clients in court or before other adjudicative bodies;
• Coordinate and conduct community education and outreach at community forums, continuing legal education seminars, and medical clinics;
• Manage cases that involve subsidized housing, family law, government benefits, and immigration related legal issues;
• Assume general administrative responsibilities including grant compliance, timekeeping, and case management;
• Conduct phone and in-person client interviews, screening clients for eligibility and identifying appropriate legal assistance;
• Work collaboratively with paralegals, admin coordinators and secretaries, to provide holistic services and referrals, assigning tasks as needed;
• Advocacy may include civil litigation, administrative hearings, policy advocacy in substantive legal areas, and/or other issues affecting impoverished communities; and
• Other duties as assigned.
HOW TO APPLY – Please submit a cover letter and resume online to spwgjobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney (DMH) – Medical Legal Partnership” in the subject line.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD – A one year probationary period will be required.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.
The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact humanresources@lafla.org.
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.
COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS – Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.
SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.
