Position Title:

Clinical Supervising Attorney

Position Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hiring Range:

$102,800- $105,884/Annual; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:

Annual

The Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center (“Law Center”) is a clinical program of Santa Clara University School of Law. The Law Center has the dual mission oaf educating law students to be life-long social justice advocates and providing legal services for the low-income community. KGACLC educates law students in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards by serving individuals and communities in need with competence, conscience and compassion through pro bono legal representation and education. Law students work under the supervision of experienced attorneys to provide free legal services in the areas of consumer protection, workers’ rights, immigration, and unhoused advocacy. Our service delivery model includes 1) community education and outreach, 2) advice clinics, and 3) full-scope and limited-scope representation cases, including court and administrative hearings. Faculty and staff also serve as leaders in collaborative efforts to increase access to the legal system for low-income individuals and communities and participate in media appearances, presentations, and training events. 

KGACLC is located in San Jose, California, approximately 10 minutes from the Santa Clara University campus and 10 minutes from downtown San Jose. It serves low-income members of the community, primarily from Santa Clara County. Our work brings increased stability, security, and peace of mind for clients and the community. 

Position Overview: 

The Law Center seeks a Clinical Supervising Attorney (Attorney) to lead our unhoused advocacy work  focused on the decriminalization of homelessness. The Unhoused Advocacy Practice (UAP) assists people experiencing homelessness who are facing legal barriers to transitioning into housing; for example, fines and fees, record clearance, infractions for “quality of life crimes,” drivers license suspensions, etc. The UAP also engages in community advocacy and education around decriminalizing homelessness. This is a new project of KGACLC and the UAP focus areas may evolve or expand over time. The Attorney will lead and supervise the legal and advocacy work of the UAP and will also work in collaboration to further develop and teach its classroom component. The UAP was designed and works in partnership with the Santa Clara University Unhoused Initiative (UI). The overarching goal of the UAP is to reduce barriers to housing through legal services and advocacy centered on the intersection of homelessness and the criminal legal system. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

The Clinical Supervising Attorney will be responsible for:

1) Program Management  and Oversight,

2) Direct Representation and Client Services,

3) Supervision and Mentorship,

4) Community Education and Outreach, and

5) Other Duties as Assigned. 

1. Program Management  and Oversight 

 In collaboration with the Executive Director and UI: 

• Lead the program, providing strategic guidance to maintain  a robust UAP that significantly expands legal services for people experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County and service learning opportunities for law students.  

• Manage and implement internal systems, procedures, and processes related to case handling, legal clinics, community education, volunteer and pro bono recruitment/deployment, program evaluation, and grant reporting.

• Create and implement initiatives that address the legal needs of those experiencing homelessness.

• Collect and analyze data alongside program success stories to effectively demonstrate outcomes. 

2. Direct Representation and Client Services 

• Direct legal representation of people experiencing homelessness in a variety of legal matters that impede their transition into housing, including, but not limited to: criminal infractions, fines and fees, record clearance, drivers license suspensions, administrative proceedings for return of property, and other similar matters. Areas of practice may change or expand in response to client and community needs. 

• Conduct intakes and consultations with prospective clients. 

• Comply with data and program reporting requirements, which may include participating in partner agency, grantee, and County meetings, and providing assistance with grant applications as appropriate. 

• Work collaboratively with other clinical faculty and Law Center staff, as needed. 

3. Supervision and Mentorship 

• Supervise the UAP law students in all aspects of their legal work including interviewing clients, legal research, editing of written work, and hearing preparation, including witness preparation and court appearances. 

• Teach a 1 to 2 unit course each semester focused on the practical skills and substantive areas of law necessary for students to participate in client counseling and representation, including client interviewing, court appearances, court forms and pleadings, and trauma-informed lawyering. 

• Provide law students constructive, timely, and specific feedback on legal work to help them build on what they are doing well and develop in areas where they are challenged.

• Mentor clinical law students in order to help them develop their professional commitment, responsibility, and identity. Provide feedback and evaluation. 

• Train and mentor undergraduate student participants in areas specific to their role, which may include client intake and interviewing, community education and administrative tasks. 

4. Community Education and Outreach 

• Work with the UI to deepen engagement with legal and homeless service providers in Santa Clara County, incorporating community input, building a strong referral network, and fostering active collaboration with UAP. 

• Conduct trainings, community education, know your rights, and outreach in Santa Clara County. 

• Coordinate and lead “pop-up” clinics each semester for on-site, community-based, same day services, in collaboration with students and volunteers. 

• Collaborate with stakeholders to design and implement a comprehensive schedule and manage community clinics, including volunteer deployment. 

• Implement a training protocol for all UAP volunteers, which will include modules on key topics such as cultural competency, language access, ethics, and economic barriers facing those experiencing homelessness, to promote empathy, respect, empowerment, and a holistic approach to client-centered lawyering. 

5. Other Duties as Assigned 

• Other similar or related duties consistent with the job description to advance the work of the UAP and office. 

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred. This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse, multicultural environment. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Demonstrated potential for successful UAP program growth, oversight, and supervision of volunteer attorneys and law students in a clinical legal setting. 

• A deep appreciation for the ability to work with those experiencing homelessness and to contribute to meaningful change that supports individuals in their journey toward stability. 

• Excellent case management, legal research, and legal writing skills. 

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to the criminalization of homelessness, with demonstrated analytical skills, specific to navigating the  legal system and identifying creative, positive, holistic solutions to legal issues that people experiencing homelessness may face. 

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and communicate effectively within a diverse multicultural environment that includes clients, students, faculty and staff, community members, volunteers, and other KGACLC and UI stakeholders. 

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines under pressure, and maintain keen attention to detail and follow-through for effective program management and leadership.. 

• Familiarity with data and program reporting grant compliance, and grant applications.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills. 

• Possess a positive attitude, sense of humor, and flexibility. 

• Collaborative team-player but can take initiative, work independently, exercise good judgment, and make decisions based on established procedures. 

• Appreciation for and understanding of KGACLC and the UI’s mission and goals.

• Respectful of all people regardless of socioeconomic background, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender or gender identity. 

• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and willingness to learn and adapt to new technology including other software, cloud-based collaboration, and database systems. 

• Requires ability to travel independently to various locations within Santa Clara County (mileage is reimbursed).

• Flexible work hours, ability to work some evenings and weekends.

 

Education and Experience: 

• Member of the State Bar of California in good standing 

• A minimum of 2 to 4 years of progressively responsible legal experience working in criminal law or in a practice serving  people experiencing homelessness or similarly situated populations; with a willingness to learn more. 

• Understanding of the social justice issues related to poverty law and equity.

• Working knowledge of the homelessness crisis in Santa Clara County strongly preferred,

• Spanish or Vietnamese proficiency preferred, other languages including ASL, welcome. 

Physical Demands: 

• The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities.  A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. 

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.  

• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus and community locations for presentations and other events. 

• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations. 

• May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers.

• Will be required to work occasional night and weekend events in support of clinic activities.  

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

(Examples) 

• Typical office environment. 

• Offices with frequent interruptions. 

 

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

 

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at  https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/. 

 

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

 

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.  Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [email protected] or by phone at (408)554-4392. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [email protected].