POSITION: Law Clerk (VOCAP) – Veterans Justice Center
LOCATION: Long Beach Community Office
SALARY: $25.00/hour (Part-time position)
AVAILABILITY: Immediately
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.
Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!
The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.
The Veterans Justice Center (VJC) is the oldest free legal services program for Veterans in Los Angeles County. VJC staff advocate on behalf of Veterans to obtain life-sustaining income, health, and housing benefits; dismiss tickets and expunge convictions so Veterans can have a fresh start; upgrade unjust less-than-honorable military discharges; and prevent Veteran homelessness.
The VJC law clerk will work on our Veterans of Color Advocacy Project (VOCAP). VOCAP is the first project of its kind geared toward assisting Veterans with criminal records through the expungement process. Clerks will interview and complete intake with clients, assist in the preparation and execution of legal clinics, write research memoranda; draft pleadings and motions; prepare cases for hearing; help develop training materials; and make appearances in Criminal Court with their supervising attorneys.
Certified law students may also argue motions under the close supervision of one of our attorneys.
NOTE: The Law Clerk position is a part of a special program created using designated educational stipend funds. There is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond the Spring 2024 semester.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Current paralegal/law students, paralegals, law grads studying for the bar exam, or law grads awaiting
bar results.
• Understanding of and commitment to housing and social justice;
• Knowledge of landlord-tenant law preferred;
• Experience in providing assistance to low-income or homeless individuals, including interviewing;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently; and
• Ability to work collaboratively with all LAFLA staff, clients, and community organizations
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
• Participate in remote and/or in-person legal clinics as well as other community outreach
• Assist VOCAP Paralegal with clinic preparation, document review and filings
• Draft pleadings related to criminal record clearing; and perform other duties as assigned;
• Contribute to the organization’s DEI plan and goals (via surveys, interviews, etc), supporting all DEI initiatives and helping to promote inclusion in a thoughtful way;
• To view LAFLA’s Commitment to DEI, please go to https://lafla.org/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion-justice-at-lafla/
HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to [email protected]. Include “Law Clerk Immigration Access Workgroup” in the subject line.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD - A six-month probationary period will be required.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.
The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact [email protected].
HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE- LAFLA advocates are working on a hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA office.
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