Volunteer Attorney Program Coordinator - Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc.

WHAT IS THE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM?

GBLA calls its Private Attorney Involvement Program (PAI) the Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) of Kern County.

PURPOSE FOR THE VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM.

The goal of VAP is to involve private attorneys and others in the delivery of legal information and assistance to benefit indigent and low-income eligible clients. Established in the 1980s as part of legal services, private attorneys are sought to advise on legal cases, represent clients, and lead training and workshops. VAP strives to provide thoughtful, up-to-date, and innovative ways to engage private attorneys and others to achieve this goal.

The VAP Coordinator, under the supervision of Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc.’s Executive Director or her/his designee, is responsible for the leadership and day-to-day management of VAP. The VAP Coordinator conducts oversight and supervision over any VAP support personnel from GBLA connected with VAP cases. The VAP Coordinator is responsible for working with the Kern County Bar Association and other specialty bars and Bar Association sections in recruiting volunteer attorneys who will provide high-quality legal services to eligible clients. In addition, the VAP Coordinator will work with California Law Firms to establish Pro Bono partnerships and new Law School partnerships to assist with recruiting prelaw and law students. The VAP coordinator will be the main contact when receiving students to intern at GBLA.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(This list is not all-inclusive and does not limit the scope of other duties for this position):

• Oversee the administration of the Volunteer Attorney Program (VAP) under direction of the Executive Director.
• Recruit private attorneys to provide legal services to low-income residents of Kern County while working closely with committees of the Kern County Bar Association and minority and specialty bars to ensure maximum participation in VAP by all members and engage attorneys in Pro Bono work.
• Assist the Executive Director in the development and ongoing revision of GBLA’s private attorney involvement plan.
• Ensure clients are appropriately referred to attorneys who have expertise in particular areas of the law, client confidentiality is maintained, and high-quality legal services are provided in an economical manner.
• Respond expeditiously to inquiries and requests for assistance from participating attorneys.
• Develop legal training programs for participating volunteer attorneys. Work closely with the State Bar to ensure trainings are MCLE accredited.
• Develop alternative means and methods of participation by attorneys unable to provide direct services to clients through established panels and procedures.
• Develop or assist in the development of plans for the use and ongoing supervision of paralegals, law students, and support staff in furtherance of the goals and objectives of the private attorney involvement plan.
• Day-to-day supervision of VAP Paralegals and legal interns.
• Maintain accurate files and manage a database of participating attorneys.
• Coordinate with the Development Team to provide opportunities to recognize volunteer attorneys through annual recognition ceremonies, networking events, and special events for out-of-region volunteers.
• Other Duties: Due to changing program demands, funding source expectations, and/or changes in agency policy, as assigned, all staff may be expected to perform other duties.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

• Must at least have a JD degree.
• Active member, in good standing with the California State Bar of California, or a member of the Bar of another state and willing to take the California Bar at the next available opportunity.
• Must have excellent analytical, organizational, and writing skills.
• Must be willing to network and attend social events throughout the community outside of normal work hours to establish new relationships with private attorneys and Jurisdiction leaders.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Must be proficient in PowerPoint and Excel.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy.
• A high degree of initiative and willingness to work collaboratively with others.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and provide leadership.
• Ability to meet with volunteers and clients in a manner best suited. (May require travel)
• Bilingual capacity in Spanish is not required but strongly preferred.