Employment Opportunities

The Administrative Legal Secretary handles all communications, correspondence, typing legal documents, filing, travel, calendar, and general organizational matters within the office. The ALS also manages legal expenditures, coordinating litigation with outside counsel and preparing discovery, and maintaining and organizing records of litigated and transactional matters, as well as vendor, supplier, and other contracts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains all duties of the Legal Secretary position
• Serve as coordinator of the office, training and coordinating the office clerical staff
• Delegate tasks to other clerical staff, coordinate clerical and litigation support responsibilities
• Maintains statistical records as required, create and produces reports using Legal Server
• Administer petty cash and clients' trust accounts
• Assist in the interviewing and selection of clerical staff
• Maintain office administrative and personnel files
• Assure that legal deadlines are met in the processing of legal documents
• Maintain the court and appointment calendar
• Order and maintain office equipment and supplies
• Disseminate information from ALS meetings
• Maintain/archive confidential client files, arranges for confidential document destruction as directed
• Coordinate building maintenance, process invoices, bills, statements and check requests
• Assist off-site IT personnel with the local provision of tech support
• Perform other office duties as assigned, including assisting with the new applicant and client intake process.

Qualifications:

We are interested in receiving internship inquiries from all individuals pursuing social justice and public interest in rural areas.  The following skills are particularly advantageous for a CRLA intern:

• Bilingual (English & Spanish) Fluent preferred for Migrant Offices.
• Passion in CRLA’s mission and vision.
• Experience in researching state and federal issues.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, concise written documents.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work comfortably in diverse employee and client populations.
• Community service experience.
• Sound technical experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

Internship Conditions:

• Full or Part-Time internships are available for University credit (specific availability may differ per office and subject area).
• Flexible start and end dates are available. 
• This position is generally a non-paid position, thus legal interns are expected to provide funding to support themselves during the duration of the internship.

Qualifications:

We are interested in receiving internship inquiries from all individuals pursuing social justice and public interest in rural areas.  The following skills are particularly advantageous for a CRLA intern:

• Bilingual (English & Spanish) Fluent preferred for Migrant Offices.
• Passion in CRLA’s mission and vision.
• Experience in researching state and federal issues.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, concise written documents.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work comfortably in diverse employee and client populations.
• Community service experience.
• Sound technical experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

Internship Conditions:

• Full or Part-Time internships are available for University credit (specific availability may differ per office and subject area).
• Flexible start and end dates are available. 
• This position is generally a non-paid position, thus legal interns are expected to provide funding to support themselves during the duration of the internship.

CRLA offers current students (law students and all undergraduates) internship opportunities throughout the year.

Future attorneys and advocates committed to social justice or public interest will find diverse and exciting internship opportunities here!  Students will have the ability to enhance their legal training under the supervision of experienced litigators and community lawyers.  Experiences such as participating in client intake, developing cases, representing clients in administrative hearings, litigating, researching, and writing are among the hands-on experiences you may have during a CRLA internship.

CRLA’s areas of practice include Education, Employment & Labor, Housing, Leadership Development & Rural Housing. Additionally, CRLA has special programs focused on vulnerable rural communities including Indigenous populations, LGBT populations, youth, and residents of unincorporated communities.

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CRLA's Law Student Intern will assist in performing legal research, in drafting memos and legal documents, in designing handouts, and in preparation and scheduling of know-your-right presentation and other outreach events. 

Minimum of ONE YEAR of law school or equivalent legal experience

• Interest in CRLA’s mission and vision
• Ability to research state and federal issues and produce clear, concise written documents
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse employee and client population
• Some community service experience is preferred
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite

Internship Conditions:

• The internship period is negotiable.
• Full-time OR Part-time interships available. 
• 600 hours, with negotiable start date, firm end date: two month-duration.

To Apply:

CRLA invites you to submit your resume, cover letter, writing sample (optional).  Please include in the cover letter the desired office/location as well as requested internship timing. At your discretion you may also include: statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

*If you have already spoken to an advocate about an opportunity please add their name in the 'Referred by' item and your information will go directly to them.

California Rural Legal Assistance welcomes all participants who are interested in contributing to the community and learning more about rural legal services.  We thrive on our diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.

CRLA Rural Justice Fellowship, the Fellow (Temporary, Exempt, Full-Time) will provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA priority areas in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Code of Professional Responsibility. The Fellow will be reponsible for providing legal services (advice, negotiation, litigation & administrative advocacy), Community Workers and Support Staff relating to all clients being advised or represented. Take on significant statewide impact activity, including institutional, group litigation and community economic development and develop leadership in working with the community, clients and other advocacy groups related to statewide impact issues. For a full job description and requirement please click on the link on the left side. 

CRLA Modesto office is seeking a Staff Attorney (Temporary, Exempt, Full-Time) to provide legal services (advise, negotiation, litigation & admin advocacy) to low-income clients in housing matters, including but not limited to; unlawful detainers, landlord/tenant disputes, public housing admin matters. The Attorney will review/supervise the work product of Community Workers and Support Staff relating to all clients being advised or represented in housing matters and develop leadership in working with the community, clients and other advocacy groups related to housing impact issues. To view full job description and application please click on the link below.

Position Description:

Reporting to the Directing Attorney, the Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA priority areas in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Essential Responsibilities/Duties:

• Provide legal services (advice, negotiation, litigation & administrative advocacy) to low income clients in accordance with the program priorities and case handling policies.
• Review/supervise the work product of Community Workers and Support Staff relating to all clients being advised or represented.
• Take on significant statewide impact activity, including institutional, group litigation and community economic development.
• Develop leadership in working with the community, clients and other advocacy groups related to statewide impact issues.
• Develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and acts as a resource for other CRLA staff through participation in at least one CRLA task force.
• Coordinate advocacy in substantive areas through collaboration with other human services providers, non-profit organizations and community, client or other advocacy groups.
• Participate in training programs, case reviews, staff meetings and other CRLA activities.
• Prepare and provide community education regarding legal rights.
• Collaborate with members of the private bar as necessary.
• Maintain contemporaneous time records in case management system.
• Maintain great working relationship with all staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

We are interested in receiving internship inquiries from all individuals pursuing social justice and public interest in rural areas.  The following skills are particularly advantageous for a CRLA intern:

• Bilingual (English & Spanish) Fluent preferred for the Agriculture Work Program.
• Passion in CRLA’s mission and vision.
• Experience in researching state and federal issues.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, concise written documents.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work comfortably in diverse employee and client populations.
• Community service experience.
• Sound technical experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

Internship Conditions:

• Full or Part-Time internships are available for University credit (specific availability may differ per office and subject area).
• Flexible start and end dates are available. 
• This position is generally a non-paid position, thus legal interns are expected to provide funding to support themselves during the duration of the internship.

CRLA Community Equity Initiative (CEI) is seeking a Staff Attorney (Regular, Exempt, Full-Time)  to work with the Legal Program Director and staff to develop and implement a comprehensive legal advocacy strategy to ensure equitable access to infrastructure and services in the Northern San Joaquin Central Valley, particularly in Disadvantage Unincorporated Communities. Primary responsible for legal advocacy/litigation, factual research, communityoutreach and education, leadership development and permissible advocacy in local and stategovernmental forums. The Staff Attorney will develop and maintain an interdisciplinary knowledge of local government, land use, civil rights, environmental and housing law as well as familiarity with local and regional planning processes and agencies. To view full job description and application please click on the link below.  

The Community Worker will report to the Directing Attorney and will be supporting the Rural Justice Unit through initial screenings for eligibility, interview to determine the nature of the legal problem/s and to identify the type of legal assistance being sought by the applicants. They will also engage in field inspections and conducting regular community education and outreach.

Reporting to the Directing Attorney, the Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA priority areas in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Essential Responsibilities/Duties:

Responsibilities:

• Provides legal service to low income clients and client groups including advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy in accordance with program priorities and case handling policies.
• Reviews and supervises the work product of Community Workers and Clerical support staff relating to all clients being advised or represented by him/her.
• Undertakes significant statewide impact activity, including institutional and group litigation or community economic development beneficial to the low-income community.
• Develops leadership in working with community, client and other advocacy groups related to statewide impact issues.
• Works to develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and acts as a resource for other staff through participation in at least one CRLA task force.
• Coordinates advocacy in substantive areas through collaboration with other human services providers, non-profit organizations and community, client or other advocacy groups.
• Participates in CRLA training programs, local office case review or staff meetings or other CRLA activities as required.
• Provides community education regarding legal rights and prepares materials relating to these presentations.
• Works with members of the private bar as necessary in accordance with CRLA Private Bar Involvement.
• Maintains contemporaneous time records in the CRLA case handling system.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all members of the office staff.
• Utilizes basic capabilities of word processing program.
• Other duties as assigned.

CRLA offers current students (law students and all undergraduates) internship opportunities throughout the year.

Future attorneys and advocates committed to social justice or public interest will find diverse and exciting internship opportunities here! Students will have the ability to enhance their legal training under the supervision of experienced litigators and community lawyers. Experiences such as participating in client intake, developing cases, representing clients in administrative hearings, litigating, researching, and writing are among the hands-on experiences you may have during a CRLA internship.

CRLA's areas of practice include Education, Employment & Labor, Housing, Leadership Development & Rural Housing. Additionally, CRLA has special programs focused on vulnerable rural communities including Indigenous populations, LGBT populations, youth, and residents of unincorporated communities.

CRLA Salinas Migrant office is seeking a Staff Attorney (Regular, Exempt, Full-Time) who will be responsible to provide legal services (advice, negotiation, litigation & administrative advocacy) to low income clients in accordance with the program priorities and case handling policies. The Staff Attorney will review/supervise the work product of Community Workers and Support Staff relating to all clients being advised or represented. Take on significant statewide impact activity, including institutional, group litigation and community economic development and develop leadership in working with the community, clients and other advocacy groups related to statewide impact issues. For full job description please click on the link below. 

Reporting to the Fair Housing and Foreclosure Program Director, the Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA priority areas in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Code of Professional Responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide legal services (advice, negotiation, litigation & administrative advocacy) to low-income clients in housing matters, including but not limited to:
  • Unlawful detainers;
  • Landlord/Tenant disputes;
  • Public Housing administrative matters.
• Provide advice and counsel on a legal advice hotline;
  • Provide limited representation in housings matters;
  • Identify systemic problems that affect our clients’ rights.
• Provide foreclosure prevention assistance:
  • Intake and process individual foreclosure cases with a special emphasis on homeowners over the age of 50 and low-income heirs to family homes seeking to assume mortgage loans;
  • File administrative complaints or litigate individual cases in collaboration with grant partner, Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA).
• Review/supervise the work product of Community Workers and Support Staff relating to all clients being advised or represented in housing matters.
• Develop leadership in working with the community, clients and other advocacy groups related to housing impact issues.
• Participate in training programs, case reviews, staff meetings and other CRLA activities.
• Prepare and provide community education regarding housing legal rights.
• Collaborate with members of the private bar and other community benefit organizations as necessary.
• Maintain contemporaneous time records in case management system.
• Maintain great working relationship with all staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHO WE ARE: Founded in 1966, CRLA’s mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to over 43,000 low-income people annually. Our work impacts farm workers, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBT communities, women, children and families in rural areas.

Position:  Community Worker - Housing 
Experience:  0-3 Years Experience
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Location:  Stockton, CA
Term of Employment:  Temporary (Long Term ending June 30, 2021), Full-Time
Other:  FLSA Non-Exempt, Union Position

The Housing Community Worker joins an innovative undertaking for CRLA and contributes to a -CRLA’s efforts to address rural California’s housing crisis. Housing Community Worker will assist CRLA’s housing teams to prevent and alleviate homelessness, prevent and prosecute wrongful and discriminatory evictions, improve the quality of substandard housing, and be integral players in CRLA’s state-wide housing advocacy.

The hotline will provide a creative opportunity to improve and expand the high-quality legal services that attracts legal advocates to CRLA and marks a first-of-its kind regional effort for the organization. We seek team-players who are willing to critically assess and perfect this model that we believe may be further developed and applied in other CRLA service areas.

The Housing Community Workerwill report to the Directing Attorney and will engage in community outreach and lay-advocacy related to tenant rights and assist in staffing a multi-office Housing legal advice hotline.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Answer phones, screen callers, and assist callers with housing matters via a multi-office legal advice hotline.
• Provide Housing Rights outreach and education to low-income tenants in rural California through forums, workshops and other related events/activities. 
• Perform intakes through initial applicant screening for eligibility.
• Interview applicants to learn the underlying causes of their legal problem, and how the legal assistance being sought would assist clients in meeting their short, mid-range, and longer-term goals.
• Assist pro-per clients in identifying useful information for presentation of their cases and provide appropriate advocacy, provide applicants with appropriate legal information and referrals.
• Conduct investigations by gathering information through field inquiry and other research related to actual or potential cases and litigation.
• Prepare simple documents from standard forms, prepare/deliver verbal and written reports to Attorneys and other Staff of applicant interviews, including facts pertinent to the issues raised by applicants, assessments of applicants' capacities to represent themselves in the legal matter, and of the obstacles applicants face in meeting their stated goals.
• Lay Advocacy, represent client's interests in administrative hearings and other forums appropriate to a non-lawyer and engage in lay advocacy to the extent permissible under the law and the code of professional ethics, perform ministerial duties in connection with lawsuits such as filing and the service of process.
• Community workers may be required to travel to perform work throughout the State.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicant must have the ability to perform all of the above duties.
• Commitment to serving low income clients.
• Ability to use internet, database and computer word processing programs.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to interact productively with diverse community populations.
• Spanish-English fluency, or other Bilingual fluency is preferred.
• Applicants must have a car and car insurance.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn the techniques of conducting community outreach events.

This jobdescriptionis not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Competitive public interest union salary scale, generous healthcare benefits package (Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance) and 401K retirement plan with employer contribution, sick and vacation pay, and 13 employer-paid holidays. 

CaliforniaRural Legal Assistance thrives on our diversity and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:

Experience working with low-income families and communities. Experience in a non-profit legal services environment. Knowledge of researching and investigation methods including computer research. Additional language ability relevant to the primary communities.

WHO WE ARE: Founded in 1966, CRLA’s mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to over 43,000 low-income people annually. Our work impacts farm workers, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBT communities, women, children and families in rural areas.

Position:  Community Worker - Housing 
Experience:  0-3 Years Experience
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Location:  Stockton, CA
Term of Employment:  Temporary (Long Term ending June 30, 2021), Full-Time
Other:  FLSA Non-Exempt, Union Position

The Housing Community Worker joins an innovative undertaking for CRLA and contributes to a -CRLA’s efforts to address rural California’s housing crisis. Housing Community Worker will assist CRLA’s housing teams to prevent and alleviate homelessness, prevent and prosecute wrongful and discriminatory evictions, improve the quality of substandard housing, and be integral players in CRLA’s state-wide housing advocacy.

The hotline will provide a creative opportunity to improve and expand the high-quality legal services that attracts legal advocates to CRLA and marks a first-of-its kind regional effort for the organization. We seek team-players who are willing to critically assess and perfect this model that we believe may be further developed and applied in other CRLA service areas.

The Housing Community Workerwill report to the Directing Attorney and will engage in community outreach and lay-advocacy related to tenant rights and assist in staffing a multi-office Housing legal advice hotline.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Answer phones, screen callers, and assist callers with housing matters via a multi-office legal advice hotline.
• Provide Housing Rights outreach and education to low-income tenants in rural California through forums, workshops and other related events/activities. 
• Perform intakes through initial applicant screening for eligibility.
• Interview applicants to learn the underlying causes of their legal problem, and how the legal assistance being sought would assist clients in meeting their short, mid-range, and longer-term goals.
• Assist pro-per clients in identifying useful information for presentation of their cases and provide appropriate advocacy, provide applicants with appropriate legal information and referrals.
• Conduct investigations by gathering information through field inquiry and other research related to actual or potential cases and litigation.
• Prepare simple documents from standard forms, prepare/deliver verbal and written reports to Attorneys and other Staff of applicant interviews, including facts pertinent to the issues raised by applicants, assessments of applicants' capacities to represent themselves in the legal matter, and of the obstacles applicants face in meeting their stated goals.
• Lay Advocacy, represent client's interests in administrative hearings and other forums appropriate to a non-lawyer and engage in lay advocacy to the extent permissible under the law and the code of professional ethics, perform ministerial duties in connection with lawsuits such as filing and the service of process.
• Community workers may be required to travel to perform work throughout the State.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicant must have the ability to perform all of the above duties.
• Commitment to serving low income clients.
• Ability to use internet, database and computer word processing programs.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to interact productively with diverse community populations.
• Spanish-English fluency, or other Bilingual fluency is preferred.
• Applicants must have a car and car insurance.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn the techniques of conducting community outreach events.

This jobdescriptionis not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Competitive public interest union salary scale, generous healthcare benefits package (Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance) and 401K retirement plan with employer contribution, sick and vacation pay, and 13 employer-paid holidays. 

CaliforniaRural Legal Assistance thrives on our diversity and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:

Experience working with low-income families and communities. Experience in a non-profit legal services environment. Knowledge of researching and investigation methods including computer research. Additional language ability relevant to the primary communities.