News and Announcements

1) Staff Attorney– HEALTH PROGRAM

(Full-Time)

 

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley advances the rights of historically excluded individuals and families across Santa Clara County through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach. Now with over 90 employees, the Law Foundation is the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay. Located in downtown San Jose, the Law Foundation is a dynamic and interesting place to work. We pride ourselves on fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative and fun, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth. We are working towards a Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)-centered legal services practice that incorporates community and movement lawyering. Our focus areas include health, housing, and children and youth.

 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Health program at Law Foundation is seeking two Health Staff Attorneys to help with various projects within our Economic Rights and Patients’ Rights Programs. The Economic Rights Unit provides legal assistance and representation regarding problems related to public benefits, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medi-Cal, as well as general legal services related to consumer law, employment law, simple estate planning, and more. You will have the opportunity to help clients obtain benefits or prevent the loss of benefits to which they are entitled. This includes representation at administrative law hearings. Your Patients’ Rights responsibilities may include: 1) representing patients in locked psychiatric facilities in administrative hearings to challenge involuntary detention for mental health treatment or to preserve a patients’ right to refuse psychiatric medications; 2) investigating and resolving complaints from recipients of mental health services regarding improper denials of patients’ rights; 3) monitoring and challenging mental health facilities and services for compliance with statutory and regulatory patients’ rights provisions; and 4) providing technical assistance, training, and outreach to mental health providers, consumers, and community members. Moreover, the Health program leads impact litigation and policy advocacy efforts that the staff attorney will help lead. The Attorney may also assist with client intake, performing eligibility screening to potential clients, assessing their legal issues, and either referring clients for further assistance within the Law Foundation or providing appropriate referrals. This position is an opportunity to engage with clients and to make health equity decisions and change.

 

This position is full-time. An ideal candidate has at least two years’ experience including litigation and is open to flexible team assignments within the Law Foundation. We are hiring one permanent health staff attorney and one temporary staff attorney for our team.

 

JOB DUTIES:

• Provide legal advocacy and representation to individuals living with mental health, developmental disabilities, and other chronic health issues associated with poverty.
• Represent clients in locked psychiatric facilities in detention and capacity hearings.
• Provide advocacy and representation to people with complaints about mental health services.
• Monitor mental health facilities for compliance with patients’ rights laws, including laws governing the use of seclusion, restraint, and involuntary medication, and due process requirements for involuntary mental health treatment.
• Assist in impact litigation and/or advocacy projects within Health program.
• Conduct community education and outreach sessions and produce educational materials.
• Respond to referrals and requests for technical assistance from community-based organizations.
• Participate in Health Units intake, information and referral services.
• Attend community meetings and participate in events that concern or impact Health Unit clients.
• Keep statistics regarding individuals served and perform other administrative tasks and data collection.
• Participate in Law Foundation activities, such as special events and other fundraisers.

   

  DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• California Bar Membership, eligibility to practice law in California, or prior experience representing clients in civil rights and/or public benefits matters. Law school graduates are eligible to apply.
• Experience with or general understanding of public benefits programs highly desired.
• Direct experience with individuals with mental health disabilities, and/or other chronic health conditions correlated with poverty.
• Commitment to civil rights and the rights of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, mental health disabilities, other disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness as well as individuals from other historically excluded communities, specifically BIPOC and trans individuals.
• Ability to be sensitive to and track record of working with low-income individuals, people living with HIV/AIDS, people living with mental health disabilities, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, and other people of color, active drug users, people experiencing homelessness, persons currently or formerly involved in the criminal legal system, and members of the LGBTQIA community is essential.
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated.
• Ability to identify, investigate and resolve client problems effectively.
• Ability to analyze, write and present ideas and legal concepts clearly and concisely.
• Ability to develop and conduct effective oral presentations, such as community outreach and argument at hearings.
• Ability to negotiate solutions to problems between clients and other parties, such as government agencies, treatment providers, and other service providers.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to perform tasks necessary to maintain a substantial active caseload of advocacy and administrative hearing work.
• Demonstrated experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons living with mental health or developmental disabilities.
• Willingness and ability to work as part of a team.
• Bilingual (particularly Spanish or Vietnamese) applicants are desired, but the Health program recognizes the need to communicate with many different communities generally. During your interview, you can explain qualities that can best help you communicate with other historically excluded communities of color.
• Candidates of historically excluded communities from different racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, persons living with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community encouraged to apply.
• Experience in using Microsoft Word and Excel.

 

COMPENSATION

Salary scale starts at $63,989.96/year for an attorney; compensation based upon qualifications and comparable experience. Additional $100/month bilingual differential is available. All compensation determined by the wage table of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and the Law Foundation. More information regarding the Law Foundation is available on our website: www.lawfoundation.org. Benefits outlined are available for the permanent staff attorney hire.

 

TEMPORARY COVID-19 REMOTE WORK

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Law Foundation of Silicon Valley employees are currently working remotely for the foreseeable future, subject to some exceptions. The Law Foundation has implemented rigorous health and safety protocols to minimize risk of exposure for staff who occasionally need, or want, to work from the office.  Due to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on personal lives, the Law Foundation is open to providing flexibility regarding work schedules to the extent feasible for the position.

 

The Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. We value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues. For example, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, and other people of color, womxn, people living with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. It is the policy of the Law Foundation to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. The Law Foundation will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until position is filled. Please submit the following via email to jobs@lawfoundation.org: (1) a resume, (2) three professional references, and (3) a cover letter that explains your interest, and explicitly addresses the following questions:

 

To best serve our clients and our community, the Law Foundation is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity among our staff?

 

Are you interested in both the temporary and permanent staff attorney positions?

2) COMMUNITY HOUSING ADVOCATE - HOUSING

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley advances the rights of underrepresented individuals and families in our diverse community through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach. Now with over 90 employees, the Law Foundation is the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay. Located in downtown San Jose, the Law Foundation is a dynamic and interesting place to work. We pride ourselves on fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative and fun, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth. We are working towards a race-conscious legal services practice.

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley is seeking a full-time Community Housing Advocate for its housing department. The housing department works to incorporate community lawyering and other race equity tools into its work to provide the best possible housing services to our community.  The housing department will have a strong focus on anti-displacement and will dedicate resources to both direct services work and system change.

 

The Law Foundation Housing Unit has a team of Community Housing Advocates who share responsibility for the tasks and responsibilities outlined below.  Community Housing Advocates have significant contact with the community.  Community Housing Advocates investigate and document what is happening in the community, transmit legal knowledge to community members, and identify and initiate policy campaigns and impact litigation for the housing department. They have significant influence in directing the work of the housing department. The Community Housing Advocate team will be collectively responsible for the duties previously thought of as the duties of “intake workers,” “advocates”, “litigation assistants,” “paralegals,” “organizers,” and “investigators.” 

 

PRIMARY DUTIES

• Help to organize and engage community members in policy campaigns;
• Investigate potential legal claims and systemic issues including research, writing, public records reviews, document reviews, interviewing clients and witnesses, and in-person surveying;
• Attend, monitor, and provide feedback at community meetings, government body meetings, task force meetings, and other meetings/hearings related to systemic advocacy;
• Conduct outreach and community education presentations and produce educational materials;

• Support program and organization-wide initiatives, including race equity;
• Maintain detailed and accurate data and case notes for all intake and case matters the Housing Program takes on;
• Interpret or translate when necessary for staff and pro bono attorneys;
• Provide support for pro bono clinics, including assisting with client and volunteer scheduling and tracking, clinic coordination, and other administrative tasks.

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to multi-task and perform well under pressure in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to work independently and effectively work as a part of a team, both internal and external to the Law Foundation;
• Self-motivated, demonstrated initiative and proactivity;
• Ability to issue spot and clearly convey legal information to clients;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in policy advocacy and/or organizing;
• Experience in community organizing;
• Connections to and experience working with diverse populations, including communities of color and people living with disabilities;
• Ability to interact compassionately and effectively with individuals in crisis;
• Passion for social justice and race equity, as well as a desire to provide assistance to underserved populations;
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, including some nights and weekends in order to meet community needs;
• Bachelor’s Degree and/or minimum two years working in the community or equivalent;
• Bilingual ability required (Spanish required or Vietnamese preferred).

 

 

COMPENSATION

Salary scale starts at $26.10 per hour; compensation based upon comparable experience. All compensation determined by the wage table of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and LFSV. Excellent benefits provided, including paid holidays, vacation, health insurance and 401(k). More information regarding the Law Foundation is available on our website: www.lawfoundation.org.

 

The Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. We encourage people of color, women, people living with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to apply. It is the policy of the Law Foundation to prohibit discrimination and

harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicant

without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. The Law Foundation will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until position is filled. Please submit the following via email to jobs@lawfoundation.org: (1) a resume, (2) three professional references, and (3) a cover letter that explains your interest and also addresses the question below.

 

To best serve our clients and our community, the Law Foundation is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity among our staff?

3) COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

 

Program Description

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley is seeking to hire a Communications Specialist to manage and coordinate all external communications of the organization. 

 

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley advances the rights of under-represented individuals and families in our diverse community through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach. Now with 90 employees, the Law Foundation is the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay.  Located in downtown San Jose, the Law Foundation is a dynamic and interesting place to work.  We pride ourselves on fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative and fun, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth.  The Law Foundation believes in providing the highest quality of legal representation to its clients. 

 

Summary of Position

The Communications Specialist reports to the Director of Development and is an integral part of the Development team and works closely with the management team, colleagues, and volunteers to message and market the work of the Law Foundation in all external communications including those directed to donors, elected officials and the general public. This includes quarterly newsletters, social media, website, grant proposals, media relations and other special projects. The Communications Specialist is an excellent writer with a strong attention to detail and enjoys making a difference in our community and being part of a team.

 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead writer for Law Foundation print and electronic marketing materials including annual report, newsletter, program brochures, acknowledgment letters, donor appeal letters, etc.; may also include minor graphic design work in templates;

• Manage communications schedule and work with program staff to coordinate content for social media, blog, newsletters, special initiatives for observances (i.e. pro bono week, affordable housing week, child abuse awareness month, etc.) and other related projects. This includes learning about client success stories and then drafting these stories to be shared with an external audience of donors, volunteers, and the public;
• Create and maintain centralized media list, local/regional/national, to enhance our reach and affirm our legal expertise in our community; draft and promote press releases related to our work and issue areas and coordinate press conferences on occasion;
• Respond to media requests, schedule interviews and prepare program staff for interviews;
• In collaboration with development team, manage an ambitious grant schedule that involves identifying prospects, communicating with funders, writing and preparing grant applications and letters of inquiry, and reporting on grants that have been received;
• In coordination with colleagues, regularly update the Law Foundation’s social media outlets, including the website, Constant Contact, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter;
• Manage marketing and event videos from conception to final production, with guidance from the Director of Development and in conjunction with related program staff; act as the main point-person with video production vendor;
• Oversee and maintain the Law Foundation website, ensuring updated information on programs and events and advancing the usability of the site for clients;
• Create, maintain, and ensure Law Foundation branding, style guide, and tone for all marketing materials, both internally and externally;
• Assist in creating talking points for CEO and other relevant parties for meetings, videos, and events;
• Support event planning activities with communications and marketing relating to invitations, programs, and post-event follow-up;
• Serve as staff coordinator of the board’s Fund Development Committee by preparing agendas and taking minutes; and
• Assist the Director of Development as needed on other special projects.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong writing and administrative skills, with excellent attention to detail and ability to draft creative, persuasive, and mission-driven content
• Minimum three years’ experience in journalism or public relations and/or nonprofit development or marketing
• Excellent computer skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience with light graphic design and layout a plus
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines
• Bachelor’s degree
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working in a highly collaborative environment
• Dedication to the mission of the Law Foundation

 

Compensation

Competitive nonprofit compensation, based upon comparable professional experience. Excellent benefits provided, including paid holidays, vacation, health insurance and 401(k). More information regarding the Law Foundation is available on our website: www.lawfoundation.org.

 

The Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer.  We encourage people of color, women, people living with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to apply. It is the policy of the Law Foundation to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status.  The Law Foundation will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

 

Application Process

Interviews will be scheduled for late July-early August; position will remain open until filled. Please submit the following via e-mail to comm.job@lawfoundation.org: (1) a resume, (2) three professional references, and (3) a cover letter that explains your interest in and qualification for the position and also addresses the following question:

 

In order to best serve our clients and our community, the Law Foundation is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity among our staff?