Staff Attorney -Medical Legal Community Partnership (MLCP)

Description

 Change Lives and Transform Communities – Join Our MLCP Team! 

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) provides free assistance to over 175,000 individuals and families each year through innovative projects that expand access to justice. We see the law as a powerful tool for social change, and we’re looking for passionate individuals to help us fight for justice. 

We value diverse perspectives and experiences, and we believe that a strong community is built through inclusivity. NLSLA is proud to foster an environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and abilities, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. 

About the Role
NLSLA oversees multiple medical legal community partnership projects across multiple healthcare delivery systems in Los Angeles County. NLSLA seeks an attorney to join its Medical-Legal Community Partnership (MLCP) team, providing legal services to survivors of trauma through Olive View-UCLA Medical Center’s Trauma Recovery Center (OVMC TRC). OVMC TRC provides professional mental health and wraparound case management services to victims of crime in the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys to support them in their recovery and return to productive lives within their communities. The OVMC TRC MLCP attorney will work alongside medical and mental health professionals to support OVMC TRC patients in crisis by providing these patients with legal advocacy to improve patient outcomes and stability. This role focuses on providing direct legal services that impact patients’ well-being, including family law, healthcare access, housing, immigration, public benefits, and re-entry. 

This position also involves collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and engagement with community partners to expand access to justice for vulnerable individuals.  

In this role, you would report to the Supervising Attorney. This position is exempt and temporary. 

What You’ll Do 

Under the guidance of the MLCP Supervisor, the OVMC TRC attorney will:  

• Maintain an active caseload composed of direct patient referrals and technical assistance requests.  Advocacy may include informal, administrative, litigation and/or policy work on a wide variety of substantive legal areas impacting the social determinants of health;   
• Collaborate with OVMC TRC staff including medical providers, community health workers, and other staff through ongoing engagement, technical assistance, weekly case reviews, and representing NLSLA at meetings;    
• Provide direct client services to OVMC TRC patients who are experiencing legal issues;   
• Support MLCP paralegals on substantive legal issues;    
• Serve as an escalation point for service delivery issues arising out of OVMC TRC;    
• Track data and case outcomes obtained for reporting requirements for the OVMC TRC medical legal partnership;   
• Conduct process, skills, and substantive trainings for OVMC TRC staff, patients, and other community members.  
• Perform similar job duties to cover MLCP cases from other healthcare systems if there are staffing shortages/coverage issues for PTO. 
• This position is designated as hybrid. Employees are?required?to work on-site a minimum of two (2) days per week, with the remaining time eligible for remote work as business needs allow. Specific in-office days may be set by the department or manager to support team collaboration and organizational priorities. Any out-of-state work is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from HR. 
• Travel to NLSLA program offices, courthouses, and other locations throughout Los Angeles County may be required. 

Requirements

 What You’ll Need 

• A Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.  
• An active California State Bar license.  
• Active practice of law for a minimum of two to three (2-3) years.    
• Experience working in a pro bono and/or legal aid setting.  
• Excellent writing, research, organizational skills and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, healthcare providers, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary and the public.  
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including being attentive to cultural needs and differences.    
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, business communication platforms, and web-based case management platforms. 
• Passion for NLSLA mission and demonstrated commitment to advocating for the legal rights of low-income individuals.   
• Passion, empathy, and compassion for supporting people from different lived experiences. 

Bonus Points 

• Previous experience with the Medical Legal Partnership model and expertise in one or more of the substantive legal areas impacting the Social Determinants of Health including: family law, healthcare access, housing, immigration, public benefits, re-entry and more.  
• Are bilingual in Spanish, due to the high number of Spanish-speaking residents in the community, or in any of the other Los Angeles County threshold languages, which is highly valued in our community outreach efforts. 

Why You’ll Love Working with Us
At NLSLA, we believe in supporting our staff as they grow in their careers and live balanced lives. We offer: 

• Competitive Salary: $85,000–$93,000, based on experience. 
• Generous Time Off: 18 paid holidays, 2 to 5 weeks of vacation depending on seniority, and 12 days of sick leave. Exempt employees are eligible for compensatory time in accordance with company policy. 
• Comprehensive Benefits: 
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with a variety of plan options. 
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance. 
• 403(b) retirement plan and options for voluntary contributions. 
• Monthly bilingual supplement for qualified employees. Note: Qualified employees with bilingual proficiency are expected to provide in-language assistance when feasible to support language access and in furtherance of NLSLA's mission. This expectation applies whether or not the employee receives the bilingual supplement. 
• Loan Repayment Assistance Program, which provides law school student loan repayment assistance for eligible individuals. 
• A Culture of Inclusion: We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive. 
• Perks: Technology reimbursement to help you stay connected and equipped to do your best work. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

NLSLA is committed to provide a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment discrimination based on each and every characteristic protected under the law and beyond.  

Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, promoting, or terminating are made fairly, and are based on job-related qualities and abilities. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees. We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome. 

We further expect every member of the NLSLA community to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve. 

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Please note that, in limited circumstances, certain convictions may be considered incompatible with the responsibilities of specific roles, particularly where the safety and well-being of vulnerable client populations are a concern. 

NLSLA’s Commitments 

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging within our organization and the communities we serve. We achieve this through: 

• Continuous Learning: Cultivating cultural competency and humility among staff through ongoing training, open dialogue, and self-reflection.? 
• Equitable Practices: Regularly reviewing and revising policies, procedures, and decision-making processes to ensure fairness and access for all.? 
• Strategic Resource Allocation: Directing resources towards initiatives that empower communities.? 
• Meaningful Community Engagement: Partnering with the communities we serve to co-create solutions and foster trust.? 
• A Respectful Workplace: Providing a work environment free from discrimination and where every individual is valued, heard, and respected for their unique contributions.?