STAFF ATTORNEY- FSAC

STAFF ATTORNEY: JOB DESCRIPTIONFAMILY SUPPORT & ADVOCACY CENTER (FSAC)Position SummaryCLC is seeking a skilled and passionate Staff Attorney to join our Family Support & Advocacy Center (FSAC), a legal services program focused on preventing young families from entering the child welfare system. The program serves young adults who are former foster youth/were previously involved with the child welfare system as children and are now parents at risk of their own children entering the system. This prevention-focused model provides (1) Interventions to support and stabilize these families, including advocacy to prevent dependency court involvement; (2) Other needed legal interventions to address needs including in the areas of housing and family law; and (3) Connection to services to stabilize the family such as mental health treatment, substance abuse programs, and more. The Los Angeles based Attorney will provide advocacy and guidance to clients regarding the child welfare process and their rights as parents. They will work with the parent to proactively engage with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to keep the parent and child together and prevent family separation or the filing of a dependency petition.ResponsibilitiesAdvocate for Clients: Provide advocacy and guidance to clients concerning the child welfare process and their parental rights.Client Engagement: Proactively engage with clients to encourage their interaction with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), with the aim of preventing family separation or dependency petition filings.Collaborative Teamwork: Collaborate with a team, including two Parent Support Case Managers, the other FSAC Attorney, and the program’s Directing Attorney, to assess each client's unique needs.Individualized Action Plans: Develop individualized action plans for parents, considering their specific circumstances and challenges.Legal Support: Offer direct legal support to clients addressing legal issues such as housing, government benefits, probate, family law (particularly related to domestic violence), health, mental health, and/or other related areas as applicable.Referral Services: Provide referrals to other legal service organizations when necessary to address legal issues.Community Engagement: Work with low-income communities, demonstrating an understanding of their unique needs and challenges.Expertise: Leverage legal expertise to navigate complex legal issues and provide effective support to clients.Client Rights: Ensure that clients are informed about their rights as parents within the child welfare system.Preventive Measures: Take proactive measures to keep parents and children together whenever possible, minimizing the need for family separation.EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONSThe Successful Candidate Will Also DemonstrateA minimum of 2 years of legal experience; a Juris Doctor degree; and a member in good standing of the State Bar of California is required.Ideal candidates should possess 2-3 years of experience practicing law in areas such as dependency, housing, government benefits, probate, family law (especially related to domestic violence), health, mental health, or related fields.A working knowledge of the Los Angeles County child welfare system.Cultural competence in working with a diverse client population.Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. They should demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication. Excellent time management skills, accountability, problem solving, principled decision-making, and critical thinking ability is required.Possess the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in the practice of law, and to maintain effective relationships with clients, families, service providers, and other child welfare professionals.Commitment to principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).BENEFITS & COMPENSATIONThe pay range for this position is $88,510 to $137,889, based on relevant experience as determined by CLC. CLC offers an excellent benefits package including 15 PTO days and 12 sick days in the first year, an up to 6% employer-matched retirement plan, and generous Family and Medical Leave and health care plans. CLC values diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect for all individuals in the workplace. We recognize the importance of a culturally diverse workforce across all job classifications, and encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives to apply. CLC is committed to inclusive practices in recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention.A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance required while working for Children’s Law Center.

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