Supervising Attorney - Consumer Rights & Economic Justice Project

ABOUT PUBLIC COUNSEL

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.

Public Counsel operates seven legal projects: Child, Youth & Family Advocacy, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants' Rights, Gender Justice, and our impact litigation project, Opportunity Under Law.

Public Counsel has a full-time staff of approximately 160. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. We recognize the essential role of staff in achieving our goals, and we have set a long-term intention to provide competitive compensation, benefits, training, mentorship, and overall workplace wellness, making Public Counsel a leader among nonprofit law firms.

ABOUT CONSUMER RIGHTS & ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROJECT

Public Counsel's Consumer Rights & Economic Justice ("CREJ") Project is one of the oldest projects within Public Counsel. Our mission is to advance racial and economic justice by representing and advocating for individuals who are low-income and their families to improve their financial futures, safeguard intergenerational wealth, address systemic inequalities, and oppose the institutions and companies that take advantage of the communities we serve.

JOB SUMMARY

The Supervising Attorney is responsible for coordinating CREJ's provision of home preservation and student loan services to clients, along with associated impact litigation. The Supervising Attorney will lead a team providing expert home preservation and student loan services under two separate grants, including client representation, clinics and placements/co-counselling with pro bono attorneys where appropriate. The Supervising Attorney is responsible for supervising a team including at least three staff attorneys/fellows, and paralegals/administrative staff.

The position has the following responsibilities:

Manage the provision of homeownership preservation and student loan debt services across the CREJ team

Supervise the CalHFA Home Preservation and DFPI Student Loan grants teams

Consult and provide mentorship and coaching on student loan, home ownership and economic justice related issues as needed

Keep up to date with the latest law and practice in foreclosure, including loss mitigation, and student loans, including all options for discharge or restructuring of educational debt

Work in collaboration with other legal services and government enforcement groups at the local, state and national level in the home preservation and student loan spaces

Actively manage grant deliverables and budgets to target

Actively pursue funding and contribute to grant proposals

Identify and litigate individual and impact cases where appropriate

Represent CREJ and Public Counsel in external meetings and events, including in front of funders, and speaking on behalf of the project to the media where appropriate

Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Juris Doctor degree and a member in good standing of the California Bar preferred

7-10 years of experience in legal advocacy

Proven expertise in consumer law, ideally in homeownership preservation and/or student loans

Experience in delivering trauma-informed legal services to lower-income, elderly and BIPOC clients

Experience preparing and delivering targeted educational trainings

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Excellent managerial, strategic thinking and leadership skills

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well as part of a team

Experience with training, mentoring, and professional development of staff and volunteers

Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in the communities Public Counsel serves

High levels of emotional intelligence and cultural competency, including being curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, empathetic, patient, and willing to listen, and having a growth and open mindset

Policy advocacy experience desirable

Impact litigation experience desirable

Spanish-language fluency desirable

JOB TYPE AND BENEFITS

Full-time/exempt

Salary range for an attorney with 7-10 years of experience is $90,000-$99,400, depending upon years of experience, plus a $14,000 supervisor supplement for a total range of $104,000-$113,400. This supervisor supplement is based upon the supervision of four staff members and will change if the number of staff supervised increases or decreases.

Non-bargaining

Fixed-duration position funded until June 30, 2029. This position is created with designated funds through June 30, 2029. Continued employment past this date is contingent on additional funding for the position.

Public Counsel offers a competitive benefits package including:

Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)'s premiums; buy-up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage

Dental and vision coverage

Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account

Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans

Generous paid time off (per year):

15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment

12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs

2 personal observance days

11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)

Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)

Additional benefits:

403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution

Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement

$45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties

Up to 6 months of parental leave

Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie

Professional development support and opportunities

Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications (state bar dues for attorneys) and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization

Centrally located headquarters in the heart of Koreatown, a vibrant neighborhood with easy access to public transportation, diverse dining options, and cultural attractions

HOW TO APPLY

We value lived experiences and experiences working with clients across a range of settings. Please consider discussing such experiences in your cover letter, especially if they are not reflected in your resume.

PUBLIC COUNSEL VACCINATION POLICY AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Public Counsel requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees, including new hires . Pursuant to federal and state laws, Public Counsel will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship.

Public Counsel is generally office-based, but remote work has been permitted during the pandemic. All employees with Public Counsel are required to work in the office at least one day per week, at the discretion of the head of department. Some positions require additional in-office days. This policy is subject to redesign by leadership. Public Counsel will work in a manner consistent with public health and local and state emergency orders.

PUBLIC COUNSEL EEO POLICY

Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or prospective employees on the basis of union membership or activity, race, religious creed, religious observance, ethnicity, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or predisposition, military service, military and veteran status, pregnancy, child birth and related medical conditions, marital and family status, national origin, ancestry, age, medical conditions as defined by state or federal law, or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

All qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Our leadership team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities discipline, discharge and general treatment during employment.