Job Description
Job Title Health Staff Attorney - Patients' Rights
Experience Information Recent graduates and mid to senior level attorneys encouraged to apply
Key Responsibilities - Provide legal advocacy and representation to individuals living with mental health and other chronic health issues associated with poverty - Represent clients in locked psychiatric facilities in civil commitment and forced medication hearings - Ensure compliance with patients' rights laws among mental health facilities through facility meetings, trainings, community education, grievance procedures, and legal advocacy - Plan and deliver community trainings, education, and outreach on topics related to patients' rights, access to mental healthcare, and behavioral health in Santa Clara County - Monitor mental health facilities for compliance with patients' rights laws, including laws governing the use of seclusion, restraint, and involuntary medication - Engage in community-based advocacy, coalitions, system reform, pre-litigation, and legislative efforts that concern or impact Health Unit clients - Assist with client intake, referrals, and administrative tasks such as data entry, as needed - Participate in Law Foundation activities, such as program meetings, special events, and fundraisers - Assist underserved populations, including communities of color, LGBTQIA community, immigrant/refugee communities, individuals living with physical and/or mental health disabilities, unstably housed individuals, people using drugs, and system-impacted individuals in line with the Law Foundation's Race Equity Inclusion principles
Requirements - Member of the California Bar or otherwise eligible to practice law in California (recent graduates and mid to senior level attorneys encouraged to apply) - Prior experience or a general understanding of patients' rights issues and mental health law preferred - A passion for social justice and race equity - Able to work sensitively and productively to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems - Excellent verbal, interpersonal, research, writing, analytical, interviewing, and organizational skills - Able to work independently and as a part of a team - Excellent time and caseload management skills; ability to work independently to get your tasks done - Have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to attend hearings, home visits, and outreach events - Basic computer proficiency and willingness to learn new technology as needed - Bilingual in English and Spanish or Vietnamese (preferred) - Interest or passion in community-driven advocacy, policy advocacy, and/or impact litigation preferred
What We Offer - Annual salary scale of $80,000 - $105,000; compensation based upon bar admission date and comparable experience - Excellent benefits, 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, a 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions, a sabbatical after 5 years of employment, an additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job, and an annual budget for professional development - Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees - Option to work a hybrid schedule
Location - Hybrid workplace, with staff required to commute to San Jose offices 2 days per week - Staff may live anywhere in California if they can meet the commuting requirements
Workplace Expectations - Hybrid workplace, with expectation for staff to work in San Jose office a minimum of 2 days/week - Employees must be California State residents
Working at Law Foundation - Unionized workplace, with members of the bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 521 - Strong commitment to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for staff, volunteers, clients, and partners - Actively works to improve communications, community engagement, systems and structures, and office culture to create an inclusive and respectful workplace where differences are acknowledged and valued - Encourages individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply - Equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal legal system, or any other basis prohibited by law
Application Process - Cover letter addressing how personal background or experiences have prepared applicant to contribute to social justice, race equity, and diversity among staff - Resume - Contact information for three professional references (applicant's consent will be obtained before contacting references) - Applications accepted on a rolling basis, with priority review given to those received by January 15, 2025 - Interview process may include phone, video, and/or in-person interviews
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team that values people, trust, accountability, creativity, joy, and fun, we would love to hear from you!
