Public Counsel
Staff Attorney - Child, Youth & Family Advocacy Project
Public Counsel, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Staff Attorney - Child, Youth & Family Advocacy Project
Join to apply for the Staff Attorney - Child, Youth & Family Advocacy Project role at Public Counsel.
About Public Counsel Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Our pro bono model supports education, outreach, litigation, and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.
About Child, Youth & Family Advocacy Project / Guardianship Team Public Counsel’s Child, Youth & Family Advocacy Project (CYFA) serves children, youth, and their families on legal issues including access to education, probate guardianship, public benefits, adoption, and issues affecting transition-age youth and those living with developmental disabilities. The Guardianship team operates a free self-help clinic at the Stanley Mosk courthouse three days per week, assisting litigants in guardianship matters. All litigants are assisted in pro per with a wide variety of pleadings related to guardianship.
Job Summary Reporting to the Guardianship team’s Senior Supervising Attorney, the Staff Attorney will:
Assist litigants with guardianship and related petitions at the in-person clinic
Recruit, supervise, and manage volunteers
Conduct legal research related to guardianship issues
Develop informational materials for caregivers seeking guardianships and parents seeking to end guardianships
Engage in community education presentations
Engage in local and statewide policy advocacy related to guardianship, as time allows
Other duties as necessary
Requirements ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Juris Doctor degree and a member in good standing of the California Bar preferred, though we will accept applications from individuals awaiting bar results
0-4 years of experience in legal advocacy
Spanish language fluency (required)
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including empathetic and professional interaction with clients or litigants
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within diverse coalitions
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well with teams
Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize workloads, and meet deadlines
Willingness to staff the in-person clinic at the Stanley Mosk courthouse in downtown Los Angeles at least three days per week, with remote work on other days
Commitment to gender/racial/social justice and the mission of Public Counsel
Job Type and Benefits
Full-time / exempt
Salary range for 0–4 years of experience: $75,500–$81,600, with a scheduled step increase effective October 1, 2025; renegotiation in 2026 via collective bargaining
Bargaining
Probationary period: 9 months
Fixed-duration position funded until December 31, 2026; continuation contingent on funding
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage with employer-paid options
Flexible Spending Account option
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans
Generous paid time off: vacation, sick, personal days, holidays, and office closures
403(b) retirement plan with discretionary employer contribution after one year
On-site parking or transit reimbursement
Language skills bonus and parental leave benefits
Professional development support and license/organization dues coverage
How to Apply We value lived experiences and experiences working with clients across settings. Please discuss such experiences in your cover letter if not reflected in your resume.
Vaccination Policy and EEO Public Counsel requires COVID-19 vaccination for all employees, including new hires, with accommodations available as required by law. This is an office-based environment with some remote work allowances and minimum in-office requirements. Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on basis of race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or other protected status. We apply the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring for qualified applicants with criminal histories.
Job Details
Seniority level: Entry level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Legal
Industries: Law Practice
Note: This job description may include references to locations and pay ranges observed in postings; actual compensation may vary.
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About Public Counsel Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Our pro bono model supports education, outreach, litigation, and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.
About Child, Youth & Family Advocacy Project / Guardianship Team Public Counsel’s Child, Youth & Family Advocacy Project (CYFA) serves children, youth, and their families on legal issues including access to education, probate guardianship, public benefits, adoption, and issues affecting transition-age youth and those living with developmental disabilities. The Guardianship team operates a free self-help clinic at the Stanley Mosk courthouse three days per week, assisting litigants in guardianship matters. All litigants are assisted in pro per with a wide variety of pleadings related to guardianship.
Job Summary Reporting to the Guardianship team’s Senior Supervising Attorney, the Staff Attorney will:
Assist litigants with guardianship and related petitions at the in-person clinic
Recruit, supervise, and manage volunteers
Conduct legal research related to guardianship issues
Develop informational materials for caregivers seeking guardianships and parents seeking to end guardianships
Engage in community education presentations
Engage in local and statewide policy advocacy related to guardianship, as time allows
Other duties as necessary
Requirements ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Juris Doctor degree and a member in good standing of the California Bar preferred, though we will accept applications from individuals awaiting bar results
0-4 years of experience in legal advocacy
Spanish language fluency (required)
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including empathetic and professional interaction with clients or litigants
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within diverse coalitions
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well with teams
Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize workloads, and meet deadlines
Willingness to staff the in-person clinic at the Stanley Mosk courthouse in downtown Los Angeles at least three days per week, with remote work on other days
Commitment to gender/racial/social justice and the mission of Public Counsel
Job Type and Benefits
Full-time / exempt
Salary range for 0–4 years of experience: $75,500–$81,600, with a scheduled step increase effective October 1, 2025; renegotiation in 2026 via collective bargaining
Bargaining
Probationary period: 9 months
Fixed-duration position funded until December 31, 2026; continuation contingent on funding
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage with employer-paid options
Flexible Spending Account option
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans
Generous paid time off: vacation, sick, personal days, holidays, and office closures
403(b) retirement plan with discretionary employer contribution after one year
On-site parking or transit reimbursement
Language skills bonus and parental leave benefits
Professional development support and license/organization dues coverage
How to Apply We value lived experiences and experiences working with clients across settings. Please discuss such experiences in your cover letter if not reflected in your resume.
Vaccination Policy and EEO Public Counsel requires COVID-19 vaccination for all employees, including new hires, with accommodations available as required by law. This is an office-based environment with some remote work allowances and minimum in-office requirements. Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on basis of race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or other protected status. We apply the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring for qualified applicants with criminal histories.
Job Details
Seniority level: Entry level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Legal
Industries: Law Practice
Note: This job description may include references to locations and pay ranges observed in postings; actual compensation may vary.
#J-18808-Ljbffr