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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.