SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
• Overseeing the National Telephone Assistance Line and identifying brief service opportunities (including in-person intakes and support, legal correspondence, and limited scope representation) in the community, where needed, subject to approval by the CLRC’s Director or DRLC’s Executive Director.
• Develops relationships within the local and national cancer communities, other disability rights communities, and communities with agencies whose work complements the mission of advancing the rights of people with cancer and disabilities, with a focus on:
o developing relationships that would help the CLRC build its outreach to underserved populations, with a focus on vulnerable or marginalized populations, language distinct, and low-income groups;
o expanding CLRC and DRLC impact amongst underserved populations—in particular, performing outreach to low-income communities of color and language distinct communities;
o the Southern California region.
• Participate in collaborative efforts and coalitions within the cancer, health, and legal communities.
• Participate in meetings, phone calls, conferences, and outreach events.
• Write on the topic of disability or cancer-related legal issues.
• Train health care professionals, attorneys, patients, and caregivers through cancer-related legal presentations.
• Work with the CLRC team to operate CLRC’s national Telephone Assistance Line, conducting intakes with callers, researching legal questions/concerns, and providing information, education, resources, and referrals in a timely manner.
• Work with the CLRC team to review caller files for possible service intervention;
• Coordinate and conduct Know Your Rights trainings and outreach presentations/webinars on cancer- related legal issues to a variety of audiences, including cancer patients and survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, and legal professionals.
• Develop written training materials and publications on cancer-related legal issues.
• Train, supervise, and work with staff, law students, and volunteers.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, and other documents as needed, including grant reports.
• Participate in organizational planning and development to better serve the cancer community.
• Perform other duties as assigned to further DRLC’s mission.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, flexibility, and good humor.
• Excellent legal, organizational, and time-management skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent judgment, calm demeanor even under pressure, strong work ethic, resourceful, and able to maintain confidentiality.
• Decisive, with the ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain positive team environment and support staff morale and resilience.
• Ability to mentor, train and provide career path guidance to staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and to initiate and follow through on work independently.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Excellent program evaluation and project management skills.
• Ability to lead projects, provide supervision, build strong relationships, and work well with others.
• Strong relationships with Southern California legal community and Southern California cancer and health care communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the rights of people with disabilities.
• Knowledge of a second language a plus, with Spanish language skills preferred.
Note: Some California travel is required, primarily local within Southern California, but may also include CLRC out-of-state conferences and events.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
• J.D. or L.L.M. degree from an accredited law school and active membership in the California State Bar, or ability to obtain admission.
• 5+ years of experience, preferably in disability rights or civil rights practice.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience.
• Experience with disability rights issues, health care law, and disability rights law.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and advocacy.
• Experience in legislative advocacy, fundraising, and outreach.
• Public speaking skills and experience.