Position: Senior Staff Attorney
Dept: Family Reunification
Reports to: Co-Director
Location: Montebello, CA area (On-site)
Status: Exempt, Full-time
Salary: $115k/yr
The Senior Family Reunification Attorney will supervise the Family Reunification Department of A New Way of Life Reentry Project (ANWOL), which helps reunite formerly incarcerated parents with their children by providing direct representation in California’s family courts and Probate Courts, as well as, providing “support person” advocacy in Dependency Court proceedings and support letters or advocacy at Criminal Court hearings for parents with outstanding charges. In addition, the Senior Staff Attorney may contribute to civil rights impact litigation, policy work in family reunification, at local, state, and federal level, and provide family reunification legal clinics in jails/prisons in Los Angeles County.
This position is geared toward those with 5+ years of experience in Family Law, although others will be considered. The position is in-person and is currently based in our Montebello, CA office.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide direct Pro Bono Representation to clients in matters arising in Family Law Court and Probate Court.
- File or respond to petitions for court orders and other relevant filings in on behalf of previously incarcerated parents in Family Law Courts, and other tribunals, in order to pursue obtain and determine their rights to custody (physical or legal) and/or right to visitation.
- File petitions to determine legal guardianship of the children of previously incarcerated parents or respond to petitions to appoint legal guardians of children in California Probate Court.
- Appear at criminal and dependency hearings on behalf of previously incarcerated parents to provide support and advocacy in Southern California counties.
- Conduct client interviews, collect evidence, and develop case materials related to parental rights.
- Supervise staff attorneys in the Family Reunification Department appearing as advocates at criminal court hearings and/or prepare letters of support to advocate for reduced sentences.
- Supervise Family Reunification Staff Attorney(s), working on advocacy and policy matters, including assist with formation of and maintenance of relationships with other departments, stakeholders, and key policymakers.
Dependency Court Work:
- Advise clients on completing case plans and navigating dependency court proceedings
- Assist in coordinating social services, conferring with appointed attorneys and social workers, and obtaining support letters from social service providers.
- Attend DCFS Child and Family Team meetings as a “support person” clients.
- Coordinate with ANWOL social workers regarding housing, social services referrals, counseling, visitation monitoring, or other services that may support a client’s family reunification efforts.
Family Reunification Work:
- Assist Parents whose parental rights have been terminated with efforts to reach out to adoptive parents, negotiate, and prepare agreements that facilitate visitation between the parents with the adoptive parents of their biological children.
- Inaugurate a Family Reunification Legal Clinic at Los Angeles County Century Regional Detention Facility.
Policy Work:
- Advocate for the change of state and federal laws that deprive parents of their civil rights and due process.
- Publish articles and opinion pieces relating to family reunification issues.
- Help to expand our family reunification model to reentry homes in other states.
Qualifications:
- J.D. and admission to the California bar.
- 5+ years of experience practicing in family court and/or probate court and familiarity with the Los Angeles dependency court and child welfare system.
- Understanding of the population to be served.
- Ability to maintain accurate and organized records.
- Strong communication, logic, and problem-solving skills.
- Self-motivated and able to set priorities and manage a variety of tasks.
- Supervisory experience preferred.
- Regular access to a personal vehicle; some travel to local courts required.
Compensation and Benefits: Compensation includes medical, dental and vision insurance benefits, life insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan.
Formerly incarcerated individuals or those impacted by the criminal justice or child welfare systems are encouraged to apply by sending cover letter and resume to: careers@anewwayoflife.org.
