Civil Rights Attorney Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary
The Senior Staff Attorney will support theEconomic JusticeProgram'sLegal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE)Projectdesigned to build community wealth by providing free legal services to low-income entrepreneurs serving marginalized and historically oppressed communitiesand theProtecting Racial Equity (PRE)Initiative,whichadvises Californianonprofits and organizationswith racial equity programming.The Senior Staff Attorney will serve as a critical member of LCCRSF's legal team and playa leading role in LSE's response to meeting the commercial leasing needs of a high volume of marginalized commercial tenants who are otherwise unable to access paid legal services.

About LCCRSF

As one of the West Coast's longest-standing civil rights organizations, LCCRSF stands with historically vulnerable communities, immigrants, and refugees-advancing their rights through litigation, advocacy, and direct legal support. We work alongside legal fellows, 1,000+ pro bono attorneys, and committed volunteers. Learn more at lccrsf.org.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE) Program Delivery (70%)

• Providedirect representation andlimited-scopeservices to aportfolio of low-income and other small businessesonlease reviews,renewals, repair issues,early terminations, and other commercial leasing related legal issues.

• Work includes pre-litigation negotiations with commercial landlords and other opposing parties, advising and counselingcommercial tenants, draftingand reviewinglegal documents,and negotiating rent repayment plansandother settlement agreements.

• On an as-needed basis,reviewunlawful detainerlegal notices and court filings and adviseand prepareeducational resources for pro per commercial tenants toreferencein eviction proceedings.

• Maintainaccuratecase, program, and otherclientwork filesand other documentation of work performed using office databases and systems.

• Withthe Program Manager and Intake Specialist, coordinate and conductpotential clientintake interviews.

• Participate in freevirtual and in-personlegal clinicsprovidingbrieflegal advice and counsel and supervising and training pro bono attorneys.

• Withthe Program Manager, develop and deliver "Know Your Rights"trainingsto LSE clients and communities, providing insights and guidance oncurrenttopicsrelevanttounderserved small business communities.

Protecting Racial Equity (PRE) Program (20%)

• Participate in limited-scopeadvice and counselclinics, consults,and trainingsas needed to service Californianonprofits and other organizations seekingracial equity programmingreviewand informationregardinglegal, litigation,and policyrisks in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space.

Supervision,Administration,and Grants (10%)

• Train, supervise, and onboard staff, law clerks, and volunteersas needed.

• Ensureefficient and effectiveservice delivery processesalignedwithorganizational policies and protocols and all applicable rules of professional responsibility.

• Assist Grants Manager and Program Director with grant complianceand reporting.

Other tasks as assigned byProgramDirector. This position may require some evening and weekend work.

Essential Qualifications

• J.D. and a member in good standing of the California Bar.

• A minimum of five years of legal experience, including direct representationofbusinessesand legal entitiesin transactional matters, particularly relating tomicroenterprises/small businesses.

• Knowledgeof andexperience in nonprofit lawhighlydesired.

• Demonstrated experience and leadership in community economic development.

• Prior experience working with low-income communities of color and immigrant communities.

• A minimum of one year of project management experience.

• Experience working in a clinic settingand with pro bono attorneyshighly preferred.

• Oral and writtenproficiencyin Spanish highly preferred.

• Excellent organizational, communication, analytical, writing, and editing skills; strong attention to detail.

• Experience working with Microsoft products, including Office and Teams; Adobe Acrobat; case management tools such asLegalServer; and contact management tools such asSalesforce

• Abilityto: 1)relate to and communicate respectfully and effectively with a broad range of clients, colleagues, and partners in the legal community and beyond, 2)work as a member of a team and independently,3)set and carry out objectives with minimal supervision,4)think strategically and creatively, solve problems, innovate, exerciseinitiative, and5)manage multiple tasks/projects and sensitive information while also being able to determine when to ask for assistance.

• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission and goals of LCCRSF and theEconomic Justice Program.