Overview
Come gain extensive skills working for a solo attorney who has been representing individuals with disabilities for over fifteen years. I am looking for an attorney or advocate who is dedicated to fighting for economic justice for individuals with disabilities. Extensive training and supervision will be provided, but candidates must be competent to work independently on multiple tasks and be flexible, reliable, and fearless. You will be maintaining your own caseload and representing individuals (adults, young adults and children) with life-altering disabilities (both physical and mental) who have been denied essential government benefits such as Social Security and special education services. This requires the ability and desire to learn how to interpret administrative law, work well with a diverse client base, and be persuasive and tenacious.Current law students expecting to graduate in the summer of 2021 who are able to work part-time during the spring semester may apply. The position has a 90-day training/probationary period. This position may either be part-time (at least 25 hours per week) or full-time.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:1.Bachelors Degree and at leastTHREEyears of advocacy experience, preferably at a law office,ORa Law Degree (or expected to graduate by June 2021) and at least some clinical or internship experience providing client advocacy2.Ability to work during regular business hours (8 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday)3.Excellent verbal and written fluency in both English and Spanish (oral and written test will be administered)4.Proficiency with MS Office, Gmail, Google Calendar, Dropbox, and other similar cloud-based software5.Ability to effectively meet deadlines and prioritize tasks6.Experience practicing patience and sensitivity to the needs of diverse individuals facing challenges7.Persuasive writing and oral advocacy skills8.Fearlessness in the face of seemingly insurmountable bureaucratic lunacy9.Excellent judgment and discretion10.A strong desire to provide compassionate and excellent legal advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilitiesPrimary Job Duties:This position will require:Consistently answering phones in a professional and courteous mannerCorresponding with government agencies, courts, clients, and opposing counselTimely drafting, filing and organizing legal documentsScheduling clientsInterpreting and translating for Spanish speaking clientsInterviewing clients to obtain information (this means being a good listener)Drafting, filing, and following up on discovery requestsRepresenting clients in administrative hearings in front of the Social Security Administration and in hearings related to special education due process appeals, which includes but is not limited to reviewing evidence, drafting pre-hearing and post-hearing legal memorandum, preparing direct and cross-examination questions, making appearances at hearings.Assisting with the drafting and editing of legal briefs for appellate casesThis job requires the ability to communicate clearly over the telephone in both English and Spanish, work well with other people even under stress, have strong persuasive skills, be persistent, and maintain attention to detailed tasks for up to two hours at a time.Compensation details: Depends on experience, with paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. Retirement benefits after three years. Other benefits negotiable. Competitive with non-profit and government salaries.LOCATION: Downtown Oakland. We are located in a beautiful office suite across from Snow Park.Note Regarding Covid:Although legal representation is an essential service, all work that can be done remotely will be done remotely in accordance with the current local and state orders. Therefore, you must have a private space in which to perform sensitive and confidential work from home. All hearings and client interviews are currently being conducted by phone or video. However, it is expected that any candidate be available to perform in-office work as needed. (Our office is on the first floor of an accessible building and staff are expected to wear masks and practice physical distancing while in the office).Equal Opportunity Employer:Anyone identifying as being part of a racial, ethnic, or religiously disadvantaged group is strongly encouraged to apply as are individuals who identify as LGBTQ. Qualified applicants with disabilities or experience working with or caring for individuals with disabilities will be given preference.Please email a cover letter describing yourself and why you would like to do this work, as well as a resume and a short writing sample (5 pages or less) in PDF format to with the subject line: I Pay Attention to Details.
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