Staff Attorney (2-Year Fellowship)

This position is open to those who have already passed the California Bar Exam and are within three years post-law school graduation. This is a limited two-year position which may transition into a full-time staff attorney position subject to funding availability. The Fellow will work on consumer law-related legal issues. The Fellow may be asked to specialize in one or more of the following areas based on the needs of the Consumer Protection Team and/or available funding: debt collection-related work; bankruptcy; foreclosure and mortgage-related litigation; student loans; medical debt; auto fraud; identity theft; credit reporting; home solicitation sales; home improvement scams; disaster recovery work; and/or other issues related to unfair and deceptive business practices.

The staff attorney will be expected to independently maintain a heavy caseload. Potential tasks include interviewing prospective clients, analyzing their legal problems, rendering legal advice, negotiation with opposing parties and agencies, preparing and submitting documents for clients, representing clients in various phases of civil litigation, preparing bankruptcy petitions, engaging in community outreach and education, developing impact litigation, and finding solutions to broader client problems through litigation, policy development, or other strategies.

About the Organization

Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD), the largest poverty law firm serving San Diego County since 1953, strengthens our communities by redressing our clients’ legal problems, empowering our clients to access and effectively participate within the legal, governmental, and social systems and encouraging self-empowerment in the fight against poverty and injustice. LASSD continues to be a proud, committed, and compassionate group of people dedicated to providing equal access to justice for San Diegans through aggressive, quality legal services. #justicebeginshere

Essential Functions:

• Representing clients in all phases of litigation, including research, investigation, drafting pleadings, discovery, law and motion, mediation, arbitration, trial, and appeal in state and federal court.

• Interviewing prospective clients, rendering legal advice, and developing case strategy.

• Handling an increasingly complex caseload.

• Attending and engaging in community outreach and education and developing positive relationships with the client community.

• Running self-help clinics as needed.

• Developing and presenting educational presentations to varying audiences, including fellow attorneys and the public.

• Creating self-help materials on consumer law topics for varying audiences.

• Developing good working relationships with court, administrative agency personnel, and opposing counsel.

• Assisting in the training and supervision of advocates, support staff, and volunteers as appropriate.

• Complying with all program and grant requirements, including but not limited to maintaining data, records, and case files in compliance with funder requirements.

• Timely and accurately completing administrative tasks, including timekeeping and timesheets.

• Collaborating with other teams and outside organizations to provide holistic services.

• Developing creative methods, litigious and non-litigious, for dealing with recurring client problems.

• Staying up to date on substantive developments in the consumer protection field.

• Other tasks as assigned.