CCLS Lead Attorney - Pro Bono Program Re-Entry Services

Reports to 

Director of Pro Bono & Strategic Partnerships 

FLSA Status
Full-Time, Exempt

(Non-Union position)

Application Deadline  

Until Filled

Salary 

 $85,895 to $116,152 per year

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Central California Legal Services (CCLS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1966 for the purpose of providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals. CCLS core counties include Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. CCLS’s health work also extends to San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Stanislaus counties. In Madera County, CCLS provides limited services to seniors and on health issues. CCLS has offices in Fresno, Merced, and Visalia, and satellite offices in Mendota and Los Banos. With nearly one hundred (100) employees, CCLS’s work includes direct services that meet our clients’ immediate needs, education, and advocacy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CCLS seeks a dynamic attorney to join its Pro Bono Program (“PBP”) as the Lead Attorney for Re-Entry Legal Services. Depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership capabilities, the position may be structured as either a Supervising Attorney or Directing Attorney.

Through the PBP, CCLS provides legal services to low-income community members using skilled volunteer attorneys and other legal service providers. Working under the supervision of the Director of Pro Bono & Strategic Partnerships, and in collaboration with the PBP team, the Attorney will take the lead in expanding, developing, and operating the PBP’s Re-Entry Legal Services Project. The Attorney will work collaboratively with the PBP team and CCLS advocates to enhance and implement the PBP’s volunteer and clinic programs throughout CCLS’ service area. The Attorney may choose to be based in CCLS’ Fresno, Merced, or Visalia offices, or to work remotely. A remote attorney will be required to attend specified in-person meetings or events in CCLS’ service area on occasion. 

DUTIES

• With supervision, take the lead in designing, expanding, and operating the PBP’s Re-Entry Legal Services Project, including criminal records expungement, drivers’ license restoration, arrest record sealing, and services addressing other client needs; 
• With the assistance of the Director, recruit, manage, place, train, support, and recognize volunteers;
• In collaboration with the Director, create and maintain volunteer training materials for the Re-Entry Legal Services Project;
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners to create and sustain referral pipelines, with the goal of serving clients throughout CCLS’ service area;
• Develop and maintain relationships in the legal community to recruit and maintain volunteers;
• Expand the services provided by volunteers, including building a panel of attorneys to represent clients in court at expungement hearings where needed;
• Develop expertise in the pertinent legal areas to supervise volunteers and ensure excellent client legal services;
• Develop client-facing materials explaining the legal services offered and the benefits and limitations of each;
• Create program operating procedures and a system for regular review and improvement of such materials;
• Oversee program database and collect data as needed for program development and assessment and for reporting;
• Participate in regular CCLS program team meetings to stay abreast of client and program needs for volunteer legal services;
• Collaborate with other legal services organizations for development of pro bono initiatives;
• Assist the Director with development and documentation of PBP policies and evaluation metrics;
• Assist in development and production of MCLE training programs for volunteer recruitment and for staff training;
• Supervise PBP staff who support pro bono projects;
• Travel to meetings and events in counties served by CCLS as needed; and
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Member in good standing of the State Bar of California;
• A Supervising Attorney candidate will have at least two years of experience practicing law, with litigation experience preferred; A Directing Attorney candidate will have at least five years of experience practicing law, with litigation experience preferred;
• At least two years of project management experience;
• Entrepreneurial spirit, goal-oriented, and organized;
• Excellent communication skills, including writing, public speaking, and interpersonal;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines concurrently; 
• Experience recruiting, engaging, managing, and inspiring volunteers strongly preferred;
• Able to work with clients who are under multiple stressors; to respond to them with empathy and understanding; and to advocate for them;
• Experience with and enjoyment of working with people from a wide range of economic spheres, cultures, languages, abilities, and geographic areas;
• Confident in representing CCLS on relevant committees, task forces, and working groups in the legal community;
• Ability to travel, as needed; reliable transportation, a valid CA drivers’ license with appropriate car insurance;
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners;
• Commitment to CCLS’ mission and core values.