POSITION SUMMARY
The Alliance for Children’s Rights is seeking a mission-driven Staff Attorney to join our Benefits Program. This attorney will help children and caregivers secure essential public benefits and financial supports, while contributing to impact litigation and policy advocacy that address systemic barriers. Experience in foster care, dependency court, child welfare, or administrative mandamus is helpful but not required. Spanish fluency is strongly preferred.
ABOUT THE ALLIANCE
The Alliance for Children’s Rights provides free, holistic legal services and advocacy to youth and families impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems in Los Angeles County. Our attorneys, advocates, social workers, pro bono partners, and community volunteers help young people overcome barriers to stability and opportunity and access the education, health care, financial supports, and permanent family connections they need. Since 1992, the Alliance has helped more than 178,000 children and young adults.
We pair direct services with local and statewide policy advocacy to remove systemic barriers and advance stability, equity, and justice for young people. Our collaborative, family-friendly culture recognizes that lasting impact depends on employees who are supported, connected, and able to thrive.
THE IMPACT YOU WILL HAVE
You will help families obtain resources that promote safety and stability for children living in out-of-home care. Working closely with the Benefits Program Director, you will combine individual representation, litigation, training, and policy advocacy through an equity-informed and intersectional lens.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Analyze public benefits issues affecting children and caregivers in the child welfare system.
- Represent caregivers in administrative fair hearings, rehearings, writs of administrative mandamus, appellate matters, and related proceedings.
- Contribute to impact litigation and local and statewide policy advocacy.
- Prepare case summaries and materials for placement with pro bono attorneys and provide ongoing technical assistance.
- Train and supervise volunteers, law clerks, interns, and pro bono attorneys.
- Develop and update practical benefits resources for clients, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
- Maintain current knowledge of public benefits laws, policies, and trends affecting children and families.
- Support intake, identify legal issues and strategies, and provide guidance to interns and staff.
- Conduct community outreach and trainings and collaborate with service providers and community partners.
- Maintain timely, accurate case records and complete related administrative responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctor degree and active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
- Zero to two years of legal experience for Level I consideration; two to four years for Level II consideration.
- Public benefits experience is helpful; Spanish fluency is strongly preferred.
- Excellent legal research, writing, oral advocacy, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with clients, attorneys, public agencies, judicial officers, and community partners.
- Strong organization and sound judgment, including the ability to manage competing priorities and a high-volume caseload.
- Demonstrated or transferable litigation skills, including case evaluation, discovery, negotiation, mediation, and hearing or trial preparation.
- Commitment to social justice, collaborative problem-solving, and client-centered advocacy.
COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND WELL-BEING
Target starting salary: $79,000 to $85,000 for Level I Attorneys with 0 to 2 years of relevant legal experience, or $85,000 to $92,000 for Level II Attorneys with 2 to 4 years of relevant legal experience. Final starting salary is based on relevant experience and internal equity. Qualified Spanish-speaking employees who pass the Alliance language assessment receive a $167 monthly bilingual pay differential.
The Alliance invests in employees’ physical and mental well-being. Our benefits and workplace practices are designed to provide broad care options, meaningful time away from work, and flexibility for employees and their families. Benefits currently include:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of the employee-only premium paid by the Alliance
- Life insurance and flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
- Generous vacation time and paid holidays
- A 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution after one year of employment, independent of employee contributions
- ClassPass, which provides access to exercise classes and a broad range of wellness services, including massages and facials
- A flexible, family-friendly culture that supports employees in balancing meaningful work with responsibilities outside of work
HOW AND WHERE YOU WILL WORK
This Los Angeles-based role offers regular flexibility in how and where work is performed. Employees may work from home or from the Alliance office on a regular basis, based on the responsibilities of the position and program needs. In-person participation is expected when it best supports clients, colleagues, court appearances, trainings, community partnerships, or Alliance events. Candidates must reside in the greater Los Angeles area. The Alliance may adjust remote and in-office expectations as organizational or program needs evolve.
HOW TO APPLY
Email a resume and cover letter to Nina Bailey, Human Resources Coordinator, at nbailey@alliancecr.org. Due to the volume of interest, we are unable to contact every applicant. No calls, please. Candidates selected for consideration will be contacted regarding next steps.
OUR COMMITMENT TO AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE
The Alliance for Children’s Rights is committed to building and supporting an inclusive environment that values the backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences of our staff. We welcome candidates whose experiences connect with our mission and the communities we serve. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and are an equal employment opportunity employer. We prohibit unlawful discrimination based on any characteristic protected by applicable law.
The Alliance considers qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act. Applicants are not required to disclose criminal history or complete a background check before a conditional offer of employment. If a post-offer background check raises a concern about a conviction directly related to the position, the applicant will have an opportunity to provide context, mitigating information, or challenge the accuracy of the report.
This job description provides a general overview and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties of the position.