Entry Level Human Rights Lawyer Jobs in California

About Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach

API Legal Outreach is the largest social justice legal organization focused on the Asian/Pacific Islander, Latinx, and immigrant communities of the Greater Bay Area and the Central Valley. A growing community-based organization founded in 1975, our mission is to provide culturally competent and linguistically appropriate direct services to the most marginalized segments of our community including low-income women, seniors, immigrants, and youth. With offices in Oakland and San Francisco, our work is focused in the areas of Gender-based Violence, Immigration and Immigrant Rights, Disability Rights, Senior Law and Elder Abuse, Anti-Human Trafficking, Youth Violence Prevention, Anti API Hate Violence, the preservation of affordable housing and small businesses, and other social justice issues.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Supervising Attorney, the Staff Attorney holds a key position in providing legal representation to low-income tenants and homeowners in the areas of eviction defense, affordable housing preservation, mortgage fraud, and other related areas. This role is based primarily in our San Francisco office, with additional responsibilities linked to our East Bay office. The role requires a strong commitment to social justice, with frequent interactions with a wide range of stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be dedicated to serving underserved Asian and Pacific Islander communities and BIPOC communities in the Greater Bay Area.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal representation to low-income tenants and homeowners in the areas of eviction defense, affordable housing preservation, mortgage fraud, and other related areas.
• Conduct community education and outreach.
• Staff clinics at sites accessible to consumers.
• Provide technical assistance and training to community and public agencies.
• Represent the organization at community, legal, funding, and other meetings and functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• A member in good standing of the California Bar; provisional bar candidates considered.
• Minimum of two years of litigation and/or housing advocacy work experience in low-income communities, on behalf of seniors, families, and/or recent immigrants.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the advancement of underserved communities of color.
• Ability to work independently; self-starter; detail oriented; to work well in a team-oriented, multicultural work environment.
• Strong advocacy and courtroom skills representing LEP clients.
• Residence within 75 miles of API Legal Outreach office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual/bicultural skills (Spanish, Cantonese, or other API language)
• Successful experience in serving tenants facing eviction.
• Working knowledge of Legal Server and Essential Forms.
• Strong preference will be given to: work the hours necessary to accomplish the assigned duties, including evenings and weekend hours.
• Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to work: in a standard office environment; attend meetings at off-site locations; converse over the telephone, in person and at meetings; and operate a computer.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pre-tax 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching funds
• 14 paid holidays, including floating holiday
• PTO, sick leave
• 100% employer-paid options for medical, dental, and vision plans
• pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts

To Apply:

Please click on the links below to apply and send your cover letter and resume with three professional references. In the subject line, please write Staff Attorney - Housing Rights Project. In your cover letter, please address the following questions: Why did you apply to APILO? How does the mission inspire you? How does your background and experience support APILO's work?
Equal Employment Opportunity:
API Legal Outreach is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.