Lead Attorney - Lawyer in the Library - Inland Counties Legal Services Inc.

Job Title:                                   Lead Attorney, Lawyer in the Library
FLSA Classification:        Exempt
Reports To:                             Deputy Director of Litigation
Compensation:                    $95,000.00 to $122,000.00 Annually DOE Benefits

Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) seeks a highly motivated individual with strong project management skills to join our team to oversee our Lawyer in the Library (“LITL”) program. ICLS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free legal services to people of limited means residing in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. ICLS targets services to seniors and those in the greatest social and economic need. ICLS provides legal assistance in eight general practice areas: Elder, Family Law, Consumer, Housing, Immigration, Systemic & Impact Litigation, Health Law, and Public Benefits & Education; and a Pro Bono Program, operating volunteer-enhanced client programs. Visit our website at www.inlandlegal.org for more information.

Overview of Position & Responsibilities

The LITL Lead Attorney will play a critical role in advancing the mission of ICLS by managing and expanding our Lawyer in the Library program. The LITL program is currently in its third year of providing in-person direct legal services or legal information to library patrons at four Riverside County Public Library System locations. The program utilizes ICLS Staff Attorneys from various practice groups to provide these services. In the coming year, ICLS aims to fine tune the delivery of services and expand the program to one or more additional locations.
This role involves close collaboration with the Deputy Director of Litigation and Practice Group Directors to staff the program, train LITL attorneys, and ensure alignment with programmatic goals and compliance with reporting requirements. The role also interfaces with the library staff to ensure clear communications about the program, that the needs of ICLS staff and library patrons are met and make necessary adjustments to the project.

Key Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the day-to-day running of ICLS’s Lawyers in the Library Program, including scheduling advocates to ensure adequate staffing at each location, onboarding new staff attorneys to the program, and assisting in coordinating and providing training to staff enrolled in the program. 
• Overseeing the delivery of legal services through the Lawyers in the Library program, ensuring that staff and volunteers are providing excellent legal services, monitoring case files and compliance, and assisting, as needed, to ensure program success. 
• Developing a training curriculum for staff on the program, legal areas of assistance (which currently include consumer debt, elder law, expungement, housing, and public benefits), and other logistics.
• Strategically expanding the Lawyers in the Library Program to include additional library (or other community) locations, additional legal areas, staff and ICLS volunteers, among other things, to expand its effectiveness in meeting community demand for in-person legal aid. 
• Managing relationships with staff, community partners, and others involved in the program. 
• Overseeing grant compliance and identifying and applying for additional funding sources for maintaining and expanding the program.  

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Expectations:

ICLS is committed to fostering an environment that celebrates diversity, promotes equity, ensures inclusion, and cultivates a true sense of belonging for all staff and clients. We, however, recognize the reality that we live in a society where racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and other prejudices pervade nearly every major institution, including the legal system. It is ICLS’ mission to fight against these prejudices and remove barriers limiting equitable access to legal services.

ICLS expects all staff and volunteers to actively participate in, and contribute to, ICLS’ commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging by:

• Acknowledging Historical and Systemic Challenges: Recognize the systemic challenges faced by BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and other historically marginalized communities. Actively work to dismantle systemic barriers impacting these communities’ access to legal services and protections.
• Embracing Diversity as Strength: Acknowledge and embrace diversity as a fundamental strength of ICLS. Celebrate the richness that different perspectives bring to our collective mission.
• Respecting Unique Perspectives: Demonstrate respect for colleagues and clients of diverse backgrounds by maintaining an open mind and being receptive to different viewpoints. Be aware of personal biases and actively work towards mitigating them.
• Centering Culturally Humble Representation: Provide culturally humble and competent legal representation to clients facing socioeconomic challenges, systemic barriers, and prejudice. Moreover, strive to understand and address the specific needs of diverse communities through intentional & thoughtful client/community partner integration.
• Compliance with Policies: Respect and comply with ICLS’ policies, practices, and procedures aimed at creating a safe, supporting, and inclusive workplace free of prejudice, discrimination, and microaggressions. Moreover, strive to identify and eliminate barriers that may hinder equal opportunities for all staff members.
• Employing Inclusive and Affirming Language: Use language that is respectful, considerate, and affirms gender-diverse identities, including using chosen pronouns and names for client and colleagues.
• Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Commit to continuous education, training, and improvement to further enhance your awareness of, and contribution to, ICLS’ DEIB initiatives. Stay informed about best practices and actively seek opportunities for personal and professional growth in the realm of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Community Engagement Expectations:

• Participate in local events within the legal community (e.g. bar association meetings and CLE) as an ambassador of ICLS that will strengthen understanding and support of equal justice issues and/or the work of ICLS;
• Participate in community-oriented events such as community resource fairs, community legal education, and on-site intake/clinics;
• On an annual basis, provide outgoing outreach and education to a minimum of 1 organization that works with low-income people in order to promote increased enforcement of legal rights and appropriate referrals to ICLS, especially in areas involving basic human needs and other areas that reflect significant unmet needs within local communities;
• Maintain a professional demeanor with outside agencies and groups, opposing parties, opposing counsel, and other participants in the justice system.

Pro Bono Expectations:

• Integrate private attorneys and volunteers into ICLS’s casework, emphasizing a client-centered approach.
• Responsibilities may include:
  • Creating and managing pro bono clinics;
  • Co-counseling with volunteers on cases;
  • Participating in Pro Bono Team projects and initiatives, including law school programs;
  • Contributing to training and providing substantive support to volunteers.
  • Drafting case descriptions for volunteer assignments; and
  • Recruiting, supervising, and mentoring volunteers and students.
• Aim to participate in at least two volunteer-centric activities each year.
• Provide a positive, client-focused experience for volunteers, including:
  • Offering high-quality training, support, and supervision;
  • Meaningfully incorporating volunteers in your practice; and
  • Providing constructive feedback.

Professional Development Expectations:

• Stay current in legal developments impacting work and utilize training opportunities that will strengthen trial and client skills on an ongoing basis;
• Contribute to and maintain ICLS’ high standards for excellence, support colleagues in their work, and otherwise act in accordance with ICLS’ Statement of Core Values;
• Develop special expertise in at least one specific area of law/procedure and serve as a resource for program staff and volunteers in this area;
• Participate in ICLS’ mentorship program as a mentor for new attorneys;

Desired Education, Skills, and Experience

• Degree from law school and active member of the California Bar in good standing 
• At least 4 years of legal experience 
• Supervisory, mentoring, and management experience in a legal environment preferred 
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative team model 
• Experience in public interest law and/or demonstrated commitment to addressing fundamental issues of poverty law and justice 
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including but not limited to seniors 
• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills  
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills 
• Demonstrated leadership ability 
• Knowledge in various practice areas within civil legal services practice preferred 
• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable but not required 

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