Founded in 1965 as part of our nation’s War on Poverty, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) is now one of the largest and most prominent public interest law firms in California. NLSLA provides free assistance to more than 115,000 low-income residents of Los Angeles County each year. The NLSLA staff of 180, including 80 attorneys, specialize in areas of the law that disproportionately impact low-income people, including affordable housing and eviction defense, access to public benefits, support for domestic violence victims, access to healthcare, worker and consumer rights, services for justice-involved adults and youth, education rights, clean slate initiatives, and employment and training. Through a combination of individual representation, high impact litigation, and public policy advocacy, NLSLA’s advocacy combats the immediate and long-parting effects of poverty and expands access to health, opportunity and justice. NLSLA serves all of Los Angeles County with a special emphasis on the poverty communities of the San Fernando, San Gabriel, Pomona and Antelope Valleys, as well as the central county cities of Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena. In addition, NLSLA advocates are co-located in courthouses in Van Nuys, Lancaster, Chatsworth, Pomona, Pasadena, and Downtown LA; Hospitals and health centers in Sylmar, Van Nuys, North Hollywood and El Monte; and with social services providers in the Antelope Valley.

 

Position:

NLSLA seeks a Family Law Staff Attorney for its El Monte or Glendale offices. The ideal candidate will be a skillful attorney who can excel in a fast-paced, dynamic anti-poverty  law practice and is capable of fiercely advocating on behalf of NLSLA clients in multiple forums. The candidate must have a demonstrated passion and commitment to public interest law and prior experience serving low-income individuals and client groups, with a sensitivity to those in crisis. The candidate will also possess strong research and  organizational skills; the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing; and well-developed analytical skills. Of critical importance is that the candidate be self-motivated with the ability to work independently. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.  Salary starts at $68,000, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits which include: choice of medical, dental, vision; life and disability insurance plans; flexible spending account (FSA)125 plan; 403(b) with employer contribution, loan reimbursement, bilingual pay supplement, sick and vacation pay, and 14 employer-paid holidays.

 

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal services to low-income survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
•  Represent survivors in restraining order hearings and other family law proceedings. Duties may also include providing periodic assistance to survivors in their immigration matters
• Collaborate closely with social services agencies to assess the legal needs of the community
• 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
• Frequently travel to other NLSLA branch offices, courts, government agencies, shelters and community-based organizations throughout southern California

Qualifications:

•  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
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred
• COVID-19 vaccination required as a condition of employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered

How to Apply:

Forward cover letter, resume, and writing sample to employment@nlsla.org (no phone calls).