Legal Fellowship – Impact Litigation & Policy Advocacy (post-bar grads & entry-level attorneys)

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Job location
615 W Civic Center Dr
3rd Floor
Santa Ana, CA 92701-4006
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Public Law Center
Street address: 
615 W Civic Center Dr, 3rd Floor
City: 
Santa Ana
State: 
California
ZIP: 
92701
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

About Public Law Center

Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, Public Law Center staff and volunteers provided over 65,000 hours of free legal services in handling over 4,500 cases benefiting low-income children, adults and seniors. The estimated value of this work is roughly $60 million in just the past three years. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.
About the role

The Public Law Center (PLC) is seeking an energetic, passionate advocate to join our team in fighting for justice for low-income residents and self-represented litigants in Orange County through innovative, collaborative, community-centered lawyering to address inequities and pursue economic justice.

PLC provides high quality legal representation to low-income individuals in Orange County through a mixture of direct services, community education, and impact litigation and advocacy. Impact opportunities arise throughout PLC, and staff work closely with pro bono volunteers to ensure adequate resources to handle the efforts. PLC sees impact cases arise out of individual direct services cases, out of intentional large-scale litigation, local community-based advocacy, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and other mechanisms.

This is a two-year position open to recent law school graduates, judicial law clerks, and current third-year law students (J.D. expected prior to beginning fellowship). 
What you'll do

Conduct legal research and analysis; draft memos, participate in ongoing litigation and amicus efforts; draft public comments on proposed local, state, and federal regulations; and help identify and develop new cases and projects.
Collaborate closely with PLC’s substantive units to effectively litigate, support, and manage large-scale impact cases.
Represent PLC in community meetings at the local and state level, effectively advocating for statewide, regional, and local protections for PLC’s clients.
Co-counsel with other legal services organizations and private attorneys to ensure adequate resources available for impact litigation.
Oversee law students and paralegals.
Represent PLC at legal networking and community outreach events.
Full time position with occasional evening and weekend work required.
Other duties as assigned.

Requirements: 

Qualifications

Active membership in the California State Bar, or Bar Membership pending, or eligibility to practice under State Bar Multijurisdictional Practice Program.
Familiarity with state and/or federal court litigation.
Excellent written communication skills.
Strong public speaking skills and ability to communicate with a variety of audiences, including community members, volunteer attorneys, court staff, and judges.
Must have own transportation, valid CA Driver’s license, insurance and good driving record; travel throughout Orange County is necessary.
Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a valid medical reason for not being fully vaccinated or a sincerely held religious belief preventing vaccination.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary range: 
$70,000 to $80,000