Job Type
Full-time
Description
The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (LFSV) invites strategic thinkers with significant legal and management experience to apply to join us as a Directing Attorney with our Children & Youth Program.
Who We Are
The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (LFSV) advances the rights of historically excluded individuals and families across Santa Clara County through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach. We serve over 10,000 individuals and families each year through our Children & Youth Program, Health Program, and Housing Program. Our attorneys, social workers, and advocates use legal advocacy as a tool for social change by crafting inventive solutions to the legal issues facing low-income people and communities of color in our region. Our work is collaborative and meaningful and includes plenty of opportunities for professional growth. As a staff, we actively engage in discussions about race, equity, and inclusion, and are actively working towards a Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)-centered legal services practice that incorporates community and movement lawyering.
The Law Foundation’s Children & Youth Program (also known as Legal Advocates for Children & Youth or LACY) is seeking to hire a new Directing Attorney. The Children & Youth Program advances the legal rights of minors in Santa Clara County, empowering them to lead healthy and productive lives. We provide free legal and related social service supports to the youth of Santa Clara County from birth to age 25 in the areas of Juvenile Dependency; Education Law; Guardianship; foster youth identity theft; Immigration; Family Law and Domestic Violence; and through projects including our work with transitional age foster youth; Medical Legal Partnership Clinics, and other collaborations.
What You’ll Do
The Directing Attorney will manage the program’s direct legal services and system change work, like policy advocacy, local systems reform, and impact litigation, and will directly supervise the management team, including three Supervising Attorneys and one Clinical Supervising Social Worker. The Directing Attorney will build on LFSV’s strong reputation and relationships with funders, policymakers, partners, client communities in addition to maintaining and growing funding resources and managing administrative aspects of the program.
The Directing Attorney is a full-time position reporting to the Chief Program Officer. The Directing Attorney will also work closely with LFSV’s management team to support the goals and operations of the entire organization, including implementation of the strategic plan.
As the Children & Youth Program Directing Attorney, you will:
- Take full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Children & Youth Program. Ensure that all aspects of the program align with our mission and strategic goals.
- Manage and provide effective leadership to a team of dedicated attorneys, social workers, community advocates, and support staff. Foster a collaborative and mission-driven work environment to maximize the team’s potential.
- Offer guidance, feedback, and support to team members, fostering their professional growth and development.
- Oversee fiscal management, fundraising efforts, and program administration to maintain and grow the resources necessary for program sustainability and expansion.
- Lead the program in systemic reform efforts, including policy and legislative advocacy, local systems reform, and impact litigation.
- Advocate for the rights and well-being of children and youth in line with our organization’s goals.
- Promote community education and outreach on the legal rights of children and youth. Develop and maintain relationships with community stakeholders and partners.
- Encourage and facilitate pro bono work within the program, leveraging the expertise and support of volunteers to further our mission.
- Some client representation, when needed to support the team.
- Engage with the Law Foundation Board of Directors, including attendance at Board meetings, to provide updates and align program objectives with the organization’s strategic vision.
- Manage public relations efforts, maintaining positive relationships with contractors, the community, and clients.
- Participate in the development and execution of fundraising events to secure financial support for the program.
- Collaborate with the broader management team to address organizational needs and objectives. Work closely with other programs and departments to build cohesion and unity within the organization.
Requirements
Who You Are
You are, or have served as, a senior leader with significant management experience within legal services organizations.
To be successful in this job, you will also excel in these areas:
Inclusive Leadership, Management and Relationship-Building. Build authentic relationships with staff, community members, and coalition partners based on mutual trust and respect, especially across lines of difference. You use resources wisely and can manage a team of staff to leverage time and talent for impact.
Communication Skills . Your track record serves as strong evidence of your ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a wide range of audiences. Moreover, you adeptly represent the organization and advocate for and with community members with clear and persuasive communication. You also excel in interpersonal communication, readily sharing context and engaging in active dialogue to understand others’ perspectives.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Aptitude. You quickly grasp the subtleties of complex issues and identify patterns in challenges. Come up with insightful, pragmatic, equitable, and sustainable ways to tackle common challenges and produce positive change. Have a successful track record of taking a concept from idea to implementation.
Commitment to Racial equity and Social justice. You recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities, and you consistently amplify community voices to advocate for more equitable solutions. You recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.
California Bar Membership is required.
What We Offer
The annual base salary range for this role is $130,000 – $145,000, commensurate with successful candidate skills and experiences. Generous benefits are provided, including:
- 19 paid holidays per year
- 3-5 weeks of vacation per year
- 12 days of sick leave per year
- Up to 6 months of parental leave
- Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
- A robust Employee Assistance Program that includes free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents
- A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions
- A sabbatical after 5 years of employment
- An annual budget for professional development
- The option to work a hybrid schedule
Location
Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace and staff will be required to commute to our San Jose offices 2+ days per week. If staff can meet the requirements above, including commuting at their own expense, staff may live anywhere in California. Due to logistical challenges regarding taxes, insurance, and time zones, we are not able to consider staff in other states at this time.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. We encourage people of color, women, people living with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to apply. It is the policy of the Law Foundation to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. The Law Foundation will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
ADA Accessible Facility – Equal Opportunity Employer – Drug-Free Workplace
Salary Description
$130,000 – $145,000/year