This contract attorney role involves providing legal representation to clients in dependency proceedings, both in and out of court. The position requires a deep commitment to clients and a focus on excellence in advocacy within the legal system.
Responsibilities
Assess the critical issues of each assigned case and advocate for each client by:
Maintain professional effective working relationships with bench officers, courtroom personnel, social workers, attorneys, CASAs, and service providers.
Independently investigate and appropriately direct social work investigators to obtain facts needed to properly assess each case.
Effectively apply dependency case law, statutes, and court rules
Use effective trial and courtroom presentation skills
Use sound case analysis and judgment
Effectively negotiate with other counsel
Prepare witnesses and apply evidentiary rules and objections.
Prepare clear, concise, and persuasive motions, pleadings, briefs, and memorandums of law, as well as correspondence and reports as needed by thoroughly researching applicable law.
Submit documents in a timely manner.
Engage available resources to properly represent and advocate for clients' best interest, including but not limited to:
Educational resources
Medical providers and mental health professionals
Regional center resources
Community-based service providers
Other legal experts or consultants, such as Legal Aid, Public Counsel, Alliance for Children’s Rights, etc.
Public Defenders in Delinquency Court and Department 95.
Demonstrate sensitivity and awareness of cultural differences to effectively communicate and advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds.
Develop professional relationships with and provide sound advice to clients using frequent age-appropriate interviews that adhere to ethical standards.
Follow up on client requests and court orders to ensure that clients receive services in a timely manner.
Treat clients’ caregivers and family members respectfully.
Continuously learn, stay informed, and adapt to evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.
Requirements
Maintain professional relationships with all CLC coworkers through:
Collaboration with attorneys, supervisors, and CLC leadership
Demonstrating respect for support staff
Expressing flexibility and willingness to assist with coverage in other courtrooms
Mentorship and being a role model for less experienced attorneys
Ability to seek assistance from supervisors when prudent or required.
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Effectively manage multiple caseloads by:
Opening and closing files in a timely manner, and meeting deadlines
Ability to complete all appropriate office reports in a timely manner, including timesheets, case counts, and conflict reports
Maintaining files in an orderly manner according to office policy
Properly documenting court proceedings, contacts, and case developments
Maintaining an accurate calendar of upcoming hearings for each case.
Prioritize and allocate time and resources effectively.
Follow office policies and procedures.
Prior experience in dependency law or trial experience preferred.
Interest and proficiency in working with children and youth in diverse communities.
Juris Doctor Degree and a member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required while working for Children’s Law Center.
Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance)
Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan
Generous Parental Leave and Additional Leave Options
Fitness/Wellness Program
Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA
Transit and Parking Benefits
Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.
Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)
Paid vacation/sick/holiday time
CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys actively employed on the date bar dues are owed and who have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date.
CLC will also pay bar dues for new admittees who are actively employed on their initial payment due date and have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date.
Important Details
Contract: August 10, 2026 through March 15, 2027
Employment type: Full-time or contract
About the Company
CLC is the largest children's legal services organization in the nation, advocating for tens of thousands of children and youth in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County foster care systems. The organization fights in and out of the courtroom for family reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health and mental health services, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being. They work to accomplish this goal through direct legal representation for children, multidisciplinary advocacy and support, and public policy.
Children's Law Center of California (CLC) represents children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned that come under the protection of the Los Angeles, Sacramento, or Placer County Juvenile Dependency Court systems.
