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About Us
The San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP) is a public interest law firm whose mission is to involve the private bar in the delivery of free legal services in civil matters to indigent individuals, families and groups. Last year, SDVLP’s volunteer panel of more than 3,500 attorneys, paralegals, law students and others, provided legal assistance to more than 6,000 indigent San Diegans. Services were directed to our community’s most vulnerable residents, including victims of domestic violence, abused and neglected children, the homeless and disabled, persons living with AIDS, disabled children needing special education services, children deprived of support, older residents who are victims of elder abuse, those deprived of basic civil rights, and other deserving poor who need legal assistance for protection and basic survival.
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Job Announcements
Positions available:
POSITION: STAFF ATTORNEY – FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER
The San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP) is a public interest law firm whose mission is
to involve the private bar in the delivery of free legal services in civil matters to indigent San
Diego County residents. Last year, SDVLP’s volunteer panel of attorneys, law students and other
legal workers provided services to more than 7,000 indigent and disadvantaged community
members and other deserving populations who need legal assistance for protection and basic
survival.
The Family Justice Center (FJC) Collaborative is a component of SDVLP. Services are provided
in coordination with the City of San Diego, the San Diego City Attorney, the San Diego Police
Department and numerous community-based organizations to provide comprehensive legal and
social services to domestic violence survivors. Approximately 25% of the survivors seeking
services at the FJC are in need of immigration assistance. SDVLP represents survivors at their
domestic violence restraining order hearings and assists with enforcement of their custody and
support orders. In addition, SDVLP is the only FJC community partner that represents battered
immigrant spouses of U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents who are eligible for permanent
resident status under the provisions of the Violence Against Women Act. Our staff and volunteer
attorneys also help undocumented victims of crimes related to domestic violence in obtaining
relief under the U Visa process.
The Staff Attorney is a regular, full-time exempt position providing direct representative services
in both immigration and family law. The majority of the incumbent’s caseload will be devoted to
assisting survivors who are eligible to file VAWA and U-Visa petitions. Minimum qualifications
include: member in good standing of the California and Federal Bar; a minimum of one year of
experience, training or education in the legal aspects of representing domestic violence survivors
in immigration and/or family law matters including immigration legal relief for survivors of
domestic violence; the ability to interact responsively, respectfully and effectively with people of
all cultures, classes, races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds and lifestyles in a manner that
recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families and communities as well as
protecting and preserving the dignity of each; and a working knowledge of the objectives and
purposes of poverty law, the Violence Against Women Act, and U-Visa relief.
Immigration experience with battered spouse cases is highly desirable, as are bilingual (Spanish)
oral and written communications skills. The Staff Attorney will work under the supervision of the
managing attorney with essential job duties as follows:
- Provide direct client services to survivors, determining their eligibility for appropriate
immigration relief, and representing clients before the U. S. Citizenship & Immigration
Services Bureau.
- Recruit and assist volunteer attorneys and others in providing effective pro bono legal
services to SDVLP/Family Justice Center clients in immigration and related family law
cases.
- Adhere to SDVLP administrative policies, procedures and standards of practice.
- Attend community meetings and develop positive relationships with the client and DV
service provider community.
- Develop an increasingly complex caseload.
- Develop creative methods for dealing with recurring client problems and systemic issues.
SDVLP offers a compensation package that includes holidays, paid time off, accrued sick leave,
medical, dental and life insurance benefits, a parking allowance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. To
apply, send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and references to:
Dawn E. Davis, Managing Attorney
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
625 Broadway, Suite 925
San Diego, CA 92101
SDVLP is an equal opportunity employer. Women and persons of color are encouraged to apply.
The position is open until filled.
POSITION: STAFF ATTORNEY (PART-TIME)
UNLAWFUL DETAINER CLINIC
The San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP) is a public interest law firm whose mission is to involve the
private bar in the delivery of free legal services in civil matters to indigent individuals, families and groups.
SDVLP operates a North County satellite clinic in the Vista Courthouse. Services include programs to assist
eligible applicants with domestic violence restraining orders, civil harassment restraining orders and guardianship
petitions. A new component to assist unrepresented litigants in unlawful detainer matters is scheduled for
implementation in May 2008.
The Staff Attorney for the Unlawful Detainer Clinic is a part-time position compensated on an hourly basis. Minimum
qualifications include: member in good standing of the California and Federal Bar; experience, education and/or
training in landlord – tenant eviction law or other related background; the ability to interact responsively,
respectfully and effectively with people of all cultures, classes, races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds and lifestyles in
a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families and communities as well as protecting
and preserving the dignity of each; and an understanding of the objectives and purposes of poverty law.
Under the supervision of the Managing Attorney, the Staff Attorney provides legal information and guidance to selfrepresented
litigants in unlawful detainer matters and recruits, trains and supervises the work of volunteers in providing
effective pro bono legal information services to clinic consumers. The essential job duties are listed below.
- Interviewing applicants for service, providing legal information and guidance.
- Informing clinic consumers of essential legal information concerning unlawful detainer litigation through provision of legal educational materials for all phases of the unlawful detainer court process, including research, preparation of legal documents, discovery, trial and appeal in landlord eviction cases. Assistance will be provided through individual counseling and conducting group workshops.
- Adhere to SDVLP administrative policies, procedures and standards of practice.
- Attend community meetings.
- Develop positive relationships with the consumer and legal community through outreach and educational activities.
- Assist in the recruitment, training and supervision of paralegals, law students and volunteer attorneys as appropriate.
- Develop creative solutions for dealing with recurring consumer and systemic problems.
Dawn Davis, Managing Attorney
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
625 Broadway, Suite 925
San Diego, CA 92101
SDVLP is an equal opportunity employer. Women and persons of color are encouraged to apply. The position is
open until filled.
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