Staff Attorney- Family Law

NLSLA provides free assistance to more than 150,000 individuals and families a year through innovative projects that expand access to justice and address the most critical needs of people living in poverty throughout Los Angeles. We are a community of people who see the law as a powerful tool to fight for individual rights and social change. Our work aims to unravel entrenched disparities that have resulted from longstanding injustice, systemic racism, and institutionalized inequality.

As such, we know that a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences enhance our vision. This value is embodied within the diversity of our community offerings and among the colleagues that help enliven our culture. Cultivating an inclusive work environment that values a range of talent and ideas is a top priority for us. We enthusiastically encourage candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

ABOUT THIS POSITION:

The family law attorney will join a team of NLSLA attorneys who represent survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in various family law matters. The family law attorney provides direct representation and will be comfortable with being in court regularly, up to several times a week. This position can also offer opportunities to provide education and outreach through legal trainings and engagement with partner agencies and organizations. The family law attorney will be expected to be attentive to grant compliance requirements.

In this role, you would report to the Supervising Attorney and a career path may result in future opportunities as a Senior Attorney. This position is exempt.

THIS POSITION MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU IF:

• YOU THRIVE IN A FAST-PACED ENVIRONMENT and excel at moving through tasks and problem solving independently.
• YOU ARE DRIVEN BY A SELF-LEARNING, INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENT.
• YOU PRACTICE TRAUMA-INFORMED LAW, recognizing and addressing potential client trauma and prioritizing their well-being.
• YOU DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF and can maintain a positive attitude and goal-oriented focus in an ever-changing and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• YOU KNOW THAT INTEGRITY MATTERS and exhibit a strong adherence to ethical standards including, but not limited to, the ability to maintain confidentiality and fiduciary responsibility.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO IN THIS ROLE:

• Provide legal services to low-income survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Represent survivors in restraining order hearings and other family law proceedings.
• Frequently travel to other NLSLA branch offices, courts, government agencies, shelters and community-based organizations throughout southern California.
• Attend and engage in family law team meetings and collaborate with the other attorneys, paralegals and secretaries to ensure the highest level of service to clients.
• Collaborate closely with social services agencies to assess the legal needs of the community.
• Review and maintain compliance with grants.
• Participate in public policy advocacy, community education, and outreach activities to effect policy and systems changes that benefit survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

HOW YOU CAN STAND OUT:

For this role, the ideal candidate has

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.

You will also stand out if you have:

• Worked in a legal services firm.
• Passion for supporting people from different lived experiences.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED ON DAY ONE:

• A JD from an accredited law school and licensed and eligible to practice law in California.
• Prior experience serving low-income individuals and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Experience working with trauma-informed approaches.
• Excellent communication (oral, written, listening) skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.

WHAT WE OFFER: 

The salary range for this position is $78,000- $86,000.

Benefits include:

• 35-hour workweek with a hybrid schedule.
• 15 paid holidays per year
• 2 to 5 weeks of vacation per year depending on seniority.
• 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and AD&D insurance; FSA; and EAP.
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Monthly bilingual supplement.
• Lawyer student loan reimbursement assistance program.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

NLSLA is committed to provide a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment discrimination based on each and every characteristic protected under the law and beyond.

Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, promoting, or terminating are made fairly, and are based on job-related qualities and abilities. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees. We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome.

We further expect every member of the NLSLA community to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included, and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve.

NLSLA Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

NLSLA believes that racial healing and addressing inequities related to disability, religion, sexual orientation, class structures, gender, and race, are fundamental to expanding access to health, opportunity, and justice across diverse communities.

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging within our organization and the communities we serve. We achieve this through:

• Continuous Learning: Cultivating cultural competency and humility among staff through ongoing training, open dialogue, and self-reflection.
• Equitable Practices: Regularly reviewing and revising policies, procedures, and decision-making processes to ensure fairness and access for all.
• Strategic Resource Allocation: Directing resources towards initiatives that empower diverse communities and dismantle systemic barriers.
• Meaningful Community Engagement: Partnering with the communities we serve to co-create solutions and foster trust.
• A Respectful Workplace: Providing a work environment free from discrimination and where every individual is valued, heard, and respected for their unique contributions.