Job Openings
Please read the job announcements listed below and send the relevant application information for the job you are applying for. Address your application to: Hiring Committee, Human Resources Department, Bay Area Legal Aid, 405 14th St., Suite 900, Oakland, California 94612. Employment applications can be sent to us by fax or email. Our fax number is (510) 663-4711. Our email address is applicantresume@baylegal.org.
Bay Area Legal Aid is an equal opportunity employer.
We encourage applicants who will contribute to our diversity.
*** All positions are open until filled. ***
Bay Area Legal Aid seeks a Staff Attorney who will focus on FORECLOSURE MITIGATION. This position is located in our Contra Costa Regional Office in the City of Richmond, with mobile advocacy sites in Pittsburg, Antioch and Concord. This office currently has nine attorneys, one paralegal advocate and two support staff.
The attorney position involves client representation, community education and impact advocacy in the areas of predatory and unfair lending practices and foreclosure intervention. Duties will include review and analysis of loan documents; advising homeowners in foreclosure or at risk of foreclosure about the foreclosure process and their options; negotiating with lenders to obtain loan work-outs and modifications; representing tenants in foreclosure related eviction actions; and representing homeowners in affirmative suits against predatory lenders. The position also requires community outreach presentations and coalition work with community organizations.
Membership in good standing of any state bar including the California State Bar; excellent communication skills; strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to work independently; ability to work with low-income clients; a driver&8217;s license and access to a car; and bilingual ability in Spanish is preferred. Previous experience with mortgage lending practices and real estate law is highly desirable. To apply, please send us a cover letter and resume. Be sure to reference the &8220;Contra Costa&8221; attorney position in your correspondence.
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Director of Communications (Oakland – Central Support)
We are looking for an experienced Director of Communications who will support the development activities of our organization. This person will work with the BayLegal Executive Director to develop a strategic communications plan with consistent messaging that is designed to increase donor support and communicate the mission, goals, and litigation activities of our organization.
BayLegal seeks an individual with excellent written and oral communications skills who has the ability to work strategically to build positive relationships with staff, local media, government agencies, and the wider community. This position requires excellent organizational skills and familiarity with the civil legal process and poverty law issues. This person will be expected to maintain and update our organization's website content as well as produce brochures and other program publications. This person must possess a Bachelor's degree, advanced degree or professional education. Four or more years of relevant responsibility in communications, community education and outreach, public policy and/or media work is required. Strong computer skills, including familiarity with design and publication software are also required. To apply, please send us a cover letter, resume, writing sample and salary history. Be sure to reference the "Director of Communications" position.
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Housing Attorney (San Jose)
We seek a Full-Time STAFF ATTORNEY in HOUSING for our Santa Clara County Regional Office, located in San Jose. This attorney position includes some of the following duties: representation of clients who face eviction in Superior Court and/or with the Santa Clara County Housing Authority; identification and pursuit of affirmative fair housing litigation in both state and federal courts and administrative forums; community training and outreach; policy work in areas that uniquely affect our clients' housing rights.
We are interested in candidates who demonstrate a commitment to public interest legal advocacy and who are highly motivated to promote and protect the rights of our clients. The position requires that the candidate be a member in good standing of the California Bar or eligible to practice law in California as a "Registered Legal Services Attorney". We seek an attorney candidate who is comfortable and adept working in a litigation and negotiation rich environment. Candidates must possess excellent legal writing and oral advocacy skills. The candidate's ability to exercise sound judgment both independently and in a team-oriented and often fast-paced environment is critical. Candidates must have the ability to embrace and work successfully with people from diverse backgrounds. Bilingual skills in Spanish or Vietnamese are preferred.
If interested, please send us a resume, cover letter indicating why you are interested in the position, and your writing sample. Please be sure to reference the "San Jose Housing Attorney" position.
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Public Benefits Attorney (San Jose)
We seek a full-time STAFF ATTORNEY in PUBLIC BENEFITS for our Santa Clara County Regional Office located in San Jose. This attorney position may include the following duties: representing clients at administrative hearings and appeals related to benefits under CalWORKS, General Assistance, SSI, SSDI, Medi-Cal and other public benefits programs; undertaking writs or appeals in state and federal courts; conducting community education and outreach; and performing policy work in areas that uniquely affect our clients' rights.
We are interested in candidates who demonstrate a commitment to public interest legal advocacy and who are highly motivated to promote and protect the rights of our clients. The position requires that the candidate be a member in good standing of the California Bar or eligible to practice law in California as a "Registered Legal Services Attorney". We seek an attorney candidate who is comfortable and adept working in a litigation and negotiation rich environment. Candidates must possess excellent legal writing and oral advocacy skills. The candidate's ability to exercise sound judgment both independently and in a team-oriented and often fast-paced environment is critical. Candidates must have the ability to embrace and work successfully with people from diverse backgrounds.
To apply, please send your resume, a cover letter indicating why you are interested in the position, and a writing sample. Please be sure to reference the "San Jose Public Benefits" position in your correspondence.
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Legal Advice Line (Oakland)
We are seeking an Advocate or Attorney for our Legal Advice Line, located in Oakland. This person will be part of a team that provides counsel and advice to eligible clients primarily in the areas of housing, family law/domestic violence, access to health care and public benefits and the transition from welfare to employment.
We are interested in candidates with a demonstrated commitment to public interest law and social justice advocacy. We seek a candidate with excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Licensed attorneys, law school graduates, paralegals, and other legal professionals are encouraged to apply. BayLegal Legal Advice Line advocates and attorneys work cooperatively as part of a close knit team. Having strong organizational skills and an ability to work in a fast-paced, high pressure environment is important. The successful candidate will have the ability to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Bilingual skills are required. Several positions are available. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, list of references. Be sure to refer to the "Legal Advice Line" position.
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Health Advocate (Oakland)
BayLegal's Alameda County office is seeking an advocate to join its health access team. This position involves significant community outreach. The successful applicant will educate service providers and potential clients about health access issues, health maintenance organizations and BayLegal's services. They will also assist our clients in obtaining Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Medicare and other low cost health insurance, and help them to resolve issues around medical debt.
Bilingual skills are required, particularly in Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cambodian, Farsi or another commonly used language in Alameda County. Additionally, we are looking for an individual with strong advocacy, writing, analytical, negotiation and organization skills. In addition, there will be opportunities to collaborate with other legal services and health service providers to identify systemic health issues in need of redress. Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated health law experience. Familiarity with California and federal public benefits programs including CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Food Stamps, and Social Security/SSI is helpful. To apply for this position, please send a cover letter, resume, list of references and a writing sample. Please remember to reference the "Health Advocate - Oakland" position in your correspondence.
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Health Attorney/Advocate (Richmond)
BayLegal's Contra Costa County Regional Office, located in Richmond, is seeking an Attorney or Advocate to join its Public Benefits Unit. The position will involve significant community outreach and will educate service providers and potential clients about health access issues, health maintenance organizations and BayLegal's services. The attorney/advocate will also assist clients in obtaining Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Medicare and other low cost health insurance, and help them to resolve issues around medical debt. In addition, there will be opportunities to collaborate with other legal services and health service providers to identify systemic health issues in need of redress.
The successful candidate will have strong advocacy, writing, analytical, negotiation and organization skills. Bilingual skills in Spanish or Asian languages are preferred. Preference will also be given to applicants with demonstrated health law experience. Familiarity with California and federal public benefits programs including CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Food Stamps, and Social Security/SSI is helpful. The advocate/attorney must have a valid driver's license and access to a car for outreach purposes. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled. Please send a cover letter, resume, list of references and a writing sample. Remember to reference the "Health Attorney/Advocate – Richmond" position in your correspondence.
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Receptionist (Oakland)
We are seeking a Receptionist for our Alameda Regional office which is located in Oakland, California. Under the supervision of the Managing Attorney, the support staff member will provide reception services, including answering telephones, greeting clients and making appropriate referrals. In addition, the support staff/receptionist will provide a full range of secretarial and clerical services to attorneys; as well as provide interpretation and translation services to assist limited English proficient clients.
Knowledge of office procedures and methods, especially proper telephone techniques and etiquette is required. Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions is also important. The successful applicant must have good oral and communication skills. Bilingual Cantonese and/or Vietnamese skills are required. We are looking for an individual who will be sensitive to the needs and problems of low-income individuals and families. This includes a need to be sensitive to and adept at helping individuals with mental and physical disabilities, individuals escaping domestic violence, and individuals who are in crisis. Having the ability to exercise good judgment regarding work priorities is essential. Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of references. Remember to reference the "Receptionist - Oakland" position in your correspondence.