Staff Attorney

About Us

For more than 40 years, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP) has been a leading force for equal access to justice, providing life-changing legal services to low-income individuals and families throughout San Diego County. Through the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys, we help thousands of low-income individuals and families navigate critical legal challenges each year. In 2024, we reached new milestones: nearly 450 volunteer attorneys contributed more hours than ever before, enabling SDVLP to take on a record 7,500 cases. Together, we helped survivors of domestic violence find safety, prevented families from becoming homeless, and secured brighter futures for children in foster care.

If you are looking for work with purpose, a mission you can believe in, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we invite you to join SDVLP. Together, we can transform lives and strengthen our community, one client, one family, and one case at a time.

What You'll Do

The Staff Attorney works closely with SDVLP’s Pro Bono team and is responsible for mentoring, training, recruiting, and guiding the work of pro bono attorneys representing SDVLP clients.

Primary responsibilities include:

Pro Bono Program Support

• Train, mentor, support, and recruit pro bono attorney volunteers.
• Develop and maintain legal training materials and program resources.
• Collaborate with SDVLP's Pro Bono Team to ensure high-quality client representation.

Client Advocacy & Legal Services

• Provide trauma-informed legal advice and representation to low-income individuals.
• Handle civil legal matters such as domestic violence, restraining orders, family law matters, human trafficking, tenants’ rights, HIV/Aids, education law, and nonprofit/microbusiness support.
• Assess client needs and connect individuals with appropriate legal and community resources.

Community Outreach & Education

• Build relationships with community partners, service providers, and stakeholders.
• Conduct outreach, legal education, and community presentations to increase access to legal services.
• Represent SDVLP at community events, networking opportunities, and collaborative meetings.

Program Administration & Leadership

• Supervise non-attorney staff, volunteers, and law student interns.
• Maintain case data, track program outcomes, and assist with grant and funder reporting.
• Support special projects and initiatives that advance SDVLP's mission and strategic goals.

What You'll Bring

• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
• A minimum of one year of experience practicing law is required.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse audiences.
• Strong mentoring, coaching, and training abilities, with a demonstrated commitment to developing volunteer attorneys, staff, and interns.
• Ability to shift priorities as necessary, manage caseload, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated passion for public interest law and a commitment to advancing access to justice for low-income and underserved communities.
• Proficiency in Office 365.
• Proficiency with case management software.
• Bilingual with Spanish a plus.
• A valid California driver's license is required, as driving is an essential job function, and no comparable alternative transportation options (e.g., ride-hailing, carpooling, bicycling, walking) can reasonably fulfill the role within travel time or cost.

Benefits

• 37.50-hour work week
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with a 6% company match
• 15 days of paid vacation, 15 paid holidays and up to 40 hours of paid sick leave
• Bar Association membership paid annually
• Sponsored training programs and opportunities for professional growth and development
• We are an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Work Location/Schedule

• Full-time opportunity with a collaborative work environment.
• This role offers opportunities to engage directly with the community through occasional travel to outreach events, meetings, and legal clinics across SDVLP locations throughout San Diego County.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SDVLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.