Temporary Staff Attorney - Children & Youth (Education)

Who We Are

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (“Law Foundation”) is dedicated to advancing the rights of historically excluded individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County. Through our legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach, we empower over 10,000 individuals and families each year. Our Housing, Children & Youth, Health and Pro Bono Programs use legal advocacy as a catalyst for social change, creating innovative solutions to the legal challenges facing low-income communities in our region. With a dedicated team of over 85 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. Learn more at https://www.lawfoundation.org/ .

The Opportunity

We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Temporary Staff Attorney to join our Children & Youth program at Law Foundation. The Children and Youth Program provides free and confidential legal assistance to children and youth in juvenile dependency, family law, probate guardianship, immigration, education matters, and numerous other practice areas; advocacy to improve court and community systems designed to protect and promote child welfare; and workshops to educate youth, parents, caregivers and members of the community about issues impacting child welfare and legal rights.

What You’ll Do

As Temporary Staff Attorney you will:

• Represent clients in school-related meetings, including IEPs and Section 504 meetings;
• Provide representation to students in discipline defense matters before administrative panels and governing boards;
• Participate in collaboration between local child welfare agency, juvenile probation department and other community-based organization to conduct case consultations and tailor appropriate advocacy;
• Represent clients in various legal matters originating from organization’s Medical-Legal Partnership clinic with Valley Medical Center;
• Respond to referrals from service providers and partner agencies;
• Assist with the development and presentation of trainings on laws related to educational rights;
• Provide technical assistance to attorneys and service providers;
• Participate in regular meetings with LACY and Law Foundation staff; and 
• Participate in general office upkeep duties, including computer data entry of case information; maintenance of billing records, filing, copying, drafting and filing court documents, and serving notice
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure a seamless and people-centered approach to service delivery.

Job Requirements

• California Bar Membership (law graduates awaiting results of California Bar Examination will be considered)
• Experience in school-based advocacy, including expulsion hearings and due process mediations and hearings
• Demonstrated commitment to the rights of children and youth
• Experience in working with diverse populations, including communities of color and people living with disabilities
• Ability to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
• Ability to manage multiple clients in high-stress situations 
• Ability to work sensitively and productively with minors with diverse backgrounds including those in crisis
• Valid Driver’s License or other transportation to attend meetings, hearings, home visits, and outreach presentations
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills
• Bilingual in English and Spanish or Vietnamese is preferred
• Committed to racial equity, inclusion and belonging and able recognize the ways that race, and other identities intersect in the work, especially for communities we serve
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, or capacity to pick up new computer skills

What We Offer

This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to the Supervising Attorney, Children & Youth. The annual salary range for this role is $80,400 – $108,400. Compensation is based on comparable experience and determined by the wage table of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and LFSV.

This position is full-time, temporary through June 30, 2025.

We are committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and professional development of our team members. To that end, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefit package, which includes:

• 19 paid holidays per year
• 3-5 weeks of vacation per year
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• Free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents through our Employee Assistance Program
• An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job
• Prorated Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees
• The flexibility to work a hybrid schedule
• An office building that offers a fully equipped gym, outdoor terrace, convenient on-site parking, bike storage, lounge areas, and 24/7 security

Workplace Expectations

Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace. Please note that the Temporary Staff Attorney may be expected to work in our San Jose office a minimum of 2 days/week. 

Employees must be California State residents. Due to logistical challenges regarding taxes, insurance, and time zones, we are not able to consider staff in other states at this time.

Working At Law Foundation

Law Foundation is a unionized workplace, and members of the bargaining unit are represented by SEIU Local 521. This position is part of the bargaining unit. 

Additionally, Law Foundation is strongly committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for our staff, volunteers, clients, and partners. To achieve this goal, the Law Foundation actively works to improve communications, community engagement, systems and structures, and office culture to create an inclusive and respectful workplace where differences are acknowledged and valued.

We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. Law Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal legal system, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Application Process

Application materials must include:

• A cover letter that addresses the following: How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity among our staff?
• A resume
• Contact information for three professional references. We will always ask for your consent and inform you before contacting any of your references. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please note that our interview process includes interviewing by phone, video, and/or in-person.

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team that values people, trust, accountability, creativity, joy, and fun, we would love to hear from you!