santa maria, California
Legal Resource Center Staff Attorney Job Opening in santa maria, California - Legal Resource Center Staff Attorney Job Summary: Santa Barbara County Legal Resource Center Program provides free legal services to self represented litigants (SRLs). The Legal Resource Center (LRC) staff offers one on one assistance by educating SRLs about legal procedure, how to research their legal issues as well as how to prepare and file their documents. The LRC provides services for a variety of cases: Small Claims; Collecting Judgments; Summary Dissolutions; Debt Collections; Landlord Tenant Law; Guardianships; Step-Parent Adoptions; All types of Restraining Orders and Responses (Domestic Violence, Civil Anti-Harassment, Elder Abuse, Workplace Harassment); Name Changes; Expungments; Emancipation and General Civil. THIS POSITION INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES: 1) Assists pro-per litigants at the Legal Resource Center with civil case issues, in accordance with the Board's directives, and Legal Aid Foundation policies. a. Provides direct assistance in the preparation and filing of mandatory court forms, explains basic legal concepts and helps navigate the legal process. b. Provides administrative support for Legal Resource Center operations. c. Recruits, trains and supervises volunteers to staff the LRC. d. Develops and maintains self-help materials, office forms and training materials. e. Takes personal responsibility for learning areas of practice that are priorities for the Foundation, but are outside of the individual's current expertise. f. Actively upgrades any skills (writing, computer, presentation) needed to accomplish tasks in an effective manner. g. Follows established policies and procedures for serving pro-per litigants at the LRC. h. Actively volunteers to take on assignments as needed and aggressively manages his/her workload so that time and efforts are expended in the most productive manner possible. 2) Actively coordinates and communicates with court personnel and other LRC stakeholders and Legal Aid Foundation staff to ensure that Foundation resources are utilized in the most effective manner possible. Active coordination includes: a. Ensuring that LRC intake data is entered into the Legal Aid Foundation case management system on a timely basis. b. Ensuring compliance with Court rules and procedures. c. Coordinating with the court regarding LRC web site development, equipment use and maintenance, and general administrative matters. d. Ensuring compliance with grant requirements for program implementation and evaluation. e. Actively contributing to case management meetings, and following through on agreed upon action items, and, f. Regular and punctual attendance at all staff meetings. 3) Takes active leadership in developing policies, procedures, and any other internal systems needed to maximize efficiency and to support Legal Aid Foundation objectives, in coordination with the rest of the staff. 4) Consistently performs in a highly professional, team oriented manner, with coworkers, pro-per litigants, clients, and members of the community. Demonstrates,through both his/her personal approach, and his/her effective follow through, the highest respect for the clients served. 5) Is actively involved in the local community through participation on non-profit Boards of Directors, Task Forces, etc., representing Legal Aid Foundation and the client population we serve. Schedules and conducts community education presentations and workshops as required to fulfill grant requirements. 6) Assists, when requested, in the planning and execution of fundraising activities and events in order to ensure the fiscal health of the organization and to elevate the awareness of Legal Aid Foundation in the community. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of: ? Local and State laws, rules, and procedures ? Principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research ? Process and procedures of various areas of the Court, including procedures, forms, and documents used in court cases ? Rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in trial and appellate courts of California and the ? Basic understanding of legal and psychological issues related to domestic violence Skills and Abilities to: ? Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the judicial officers, court staff, public and private agencies ? Work independently ? Work effectively, patiently, and directly with a diverse population including those who are unable to read, have emotional and cognitive limitations, those under duress due to legal, financial and personal problems, those with learning and/or physical disabilities or limitations, those who speak languages other than English, and those clients who are confused, angry, hostile, or frustrated with the legal system ? Give clear and concise directions regarding filing and service requirements; Communicate effectively with litigants, staff, judges, attorneys, and other service providers: and ? Perform other related duties as assigned ? Bilingual skills in Spanish are highly desired MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: ? Education: Requires achievement of Juris Doctor Degree and active membership in the California State Bar ? Experience: Minimum of 2 years of post-bar membership practice of law, including substantial litigation experience ? Substitution: Additional experience, skill, or background appropriate to the community may be substituted to fulfill the experience requirement as determined by the Executive Director, Director of Litigation and Supervising Attorney. Benefits: Benefits include health and dental insurance, life, insurance, 403 b retirement, two weeks of vacation, and ten sick days per year and 14 holidays per year. State bar dues are paid for all attorneys. Legal training opportunities are provided. Application Procedure: Applications accepted until the position is filled. Please email cover letter, resume, and a list of references to Yvonne Cudney, Managing Attorney 301 S. Miller Suite 121, Santa Maria, CA 93454 ; santa maria ca california Phone:
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