Staff Attorney - Elder Law - Inland Counties Legal Services

Job Title: Elder Law Staff Attorney

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Practice Group Director, Deputy Directors of Litigation, and Executive Director

Supervises: As Assigned

Pay range: $78,000.00 - $115,000.00 (Depending On Experience)

Do you have a deep appreciation for seniors and their lived experiences? Are you outraged by individuals, companies, and scams targeting seniors that prey on their vulnerability? Do you enjoy drafting estate planning documents, or would you like to learn more about estate planning? The Inland Counties Legal Services Elder Law Practice Group may be the right fit for you. ICLS’ Elder Law Practice Group delivers free legal services to seniors who are age 60 and older throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties through remote communication as phone and video appointments. We also offer on-site appointments at our office locations and various senior and community centers. The work is challenging and joyful, providing peace of mind to seniors as they navigate their legal issues with compassion, patience, and understanding. This position gives opportunities for zealous advocacy in areas of law impacting the lives of seniors we serve including estate planning, consumer matters, financial elder abuse, scams targeting elders, Elder Abuse, Domestic Violence and Civil Harassment Restraining Orders, Grandparent Visitation, and real property issues.

Inland Counties Legal Services is seeking a Lead Staff Attorney to join the Elder Law Team. Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing legal services to low-income persons residing in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. ICLS targets services for seniors and those in the greatest social and economic need. Legal services are provided by attorneys, or paralegals under the direct supervision of an attorney. Levels of service include advice and counsel, limited action (includes negotiations and preparation of legal documents), as well as direct representation before administrative law and civil courts. ICLS provides legal assistance in eight practice groups: Elder Law, Consumer, Housing, Family Law, Immigration, Systemic/Impact, Health Law, and Public Benefits. Visit our website at www.inlandlegal.org for more information. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with and report to the Practice Group Director to supervise attorneys and non-attorney paralegal advocates, law clerks, volunteers, and support staff
• Provide team supervision in the Practice Group Director’s absence
• Organize and participate in community outreach events, training, and community education events 
• Be familiar with and follow all ICLS and funder policies, and all applicable state, federal and local regulations 
• Oversee grant management and ensure deliverables are met
• Develop broad legal expertise in elder law
• Travel and work throughout both counties 
• Provide full range of legal assistance to clients 
• Work with substantial independence in furtherance of ICLS’s mission, require little direct supervision and manage a caseload 
• Engage with client and community groups, local stake holders, bar associations, and governmental associations to identify, assess, and meet client and community legal needs. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent project management skills and an interest in ICLS’ mission 
• Assist and represent clients aged 60 and over in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties with legal issues including consumer matters, family law, simple probate, estate planning, elder abuse, and restraining orders.
•  Provide direct client services at assigned Senior Centers. 
• Provide training to staff in substantive areas of law through the Elder Law Team’s monthly litigation meetings.
• Maintain community relations with local organizations.
• Provide team supervision in the Practice Group Director’s absence.
• Provide guidance to advocates on the Elder Law Team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Education and Experience

• Degree from law school and active member of the California Bar in good standing 
• Must have at least five (5) years of experience as an attorney 
• Prior work experience with Elder Abuse, Estate Planning, Family Law, and Consumer Law issues 
•  Ability to understand the objectives of poverty law 
• Superb legal research, writing and analytical skills 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
•  Knowledge of elder law 
•  A high level of independence, initiative, creativity, and good judgment 
• Excellent management and organizational skills 
• Humility and competence in working with diverse individuals and communities 
•  Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to take on additional job responsibilities as needed
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, ability to learn quickly 
• Good judgment, ability to handle stress, initiative, and willingness to work as a team

Skills:

• Active listening skills
• Trauma-informed interviewing skills
• Legal writing and research skills
• Negotiation skills
• Analytical skills
• Ability to conduct capacity determinations for clients and establish whether they are competent to engage in an effective attorney-client relationship.
• Courtroom/trial experience (will be gained at ICLS for those with limited experience)
• Bilingual preferred but not required. Note, staff must take and pass a language exam to be able to translate. An additional pay increase is available for folks that successfully pass the language exam.

Job Related Expectations:

Legal work expectations:

• Conduct client intake and appointments in-person at our office locations or various senior center locations throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and remotely via telephone or video appointments
• Provide counsel and advice, brief services, negotiations, or representation to seniors age 60 and over on a variety of legal issues including estate planning, consumer matters, financial elder abuse, scams targeting elders, Elder Abuse, Domestic Violence and Civil Harassment Restraining Orders, Grandparent Visitation, and real property issues
• Become familiar with and follow Legal Services Corporation regulations and other funder requirements as appropriate

Professional Development Expectations:

• Stay current in legal developments impacting work and utilize training opportunities that will strengthen advocacy 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, whether as a mentee (for new attorneys) or as a mentor (for more experienced attorneys) for attorneys, paralegals, and other administrative staff

General Expectations:

• Observe the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct and take personal responsibility for one’s actions;
• Identify and communicate effectively with individuals seeking legal assistance from ICLS, including people in crisis and those who are at risk because of culture or communication barriers (including those with limited English proficiency, who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, who are blind, or visually impaired, those who are illiterate or have low literacy levels, and those with mental health challenges);
• Work with Administrative staff to produce grant reports in a timely manner and/or assist in developing grant or funding opportunities to strengthen staffing and legal services.

The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering a diverse environment. The sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces. Staff approach professional relationships with humility across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency with a willingness to consider unique perspectives. Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.