Employment Opportunities

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.

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.

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. 

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.