Temporary SSI Staff Attorney - Alameda County

Bay Area Legal Aid  (BayLegal) staff provide free civil legal services to individuals and families living in poverty in the San Francisco Bay Area.  We practice in multiple inter-related legal substantive areas to prevent and stop homelessness, increase economic stability, protect low-income consumers, expand access to healthcare, and enhance safety for survivors of interpersonal violence.

Our clients include the working poor, families with children, foster youth, seniors, immigrants, veterans, individuals impacted by the criminal and juvenile legal systems, and persons with disabilities.  The core of our community-based practice is working alongside our clients to protect their legal rights, resolve immediate crise and remove legal barriers to long-term stability and escaping poverty.  BayLegal is also uniquely positioned to identify patterns of illegal practices and opportunities to protect our clients’ rights and increase efficiency and effectiveness of public services through broader advocacy and impact litigation given our regional community-based service model and wide range of access points, including legal hotlines, six county offices, community-based advocacy clinics, and intake points.  BayLegal's Alameda County SSI Practice Team  seeks an attorney with a strong commitment to the public interest and social justice advocacy.

Based in our Oakland office, this position represents people with mental and physical disabilities with claims for Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).  This position may require travel throughout Alameda County as necessary to best serve our clients.  There may be travel within BayLegal’s broader service area for purposes of meeting with clients and as necessary for training and advocacy.

BayLegal is seeking to fill 2 positions for this job.

This is a temporary position lasting approximately 6 months.  As an SSI Attorney, you will have the opportunity to :

• Learn and advocate for the diverse legal needs of communities affected by systemic and structural inequities in Alameda County and the broader Bay Area to reduce homelessness, enhance stability and address social injustice.  Maintain an active caseload and provide direct legal services to clients, including :    Representation and assistance in a range of public benefits matters, with primary focus on Social Security disability benefits, SSI and CAPI claims and appeals and accessing other county, state, and federal benefit programs, as needed  Representing in all stages of administrative proceedings related to their public benefits claims, from initial applications through federal court; and  Identifying related legal issues and barriers and helping to coordinate services with BayLegal colleagues who specialize in those substantive areas and with community partners.   Identify and engage in broader advocacy strategies to remove systematic barriers to public benefits for client populations, including particularly vulnerable groups such as immigrants and refugees, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, people experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities.  Engage and support relationships and collaborations with community partners, including governmental agencies and community-based organizations.  Provide training and ‘know your rights’ presentations on public benefits and related civil legal issues to BayLegal staff, community partners and client communities.  Develop relationships with public and private community partners, including governmental agencies, courts, and community-based organizations, to ensure integrative services and address systemic barriers facing BayLegal's client community.   Track and document client and project services and funding deliverables in compliance with BayLegal policies and funding requirements and help promote BayLegal's mission and resource development.   Engage in other tasks and projects that further BayLegal's mission and operations as a non-profit.  Requirements : Member of CA Bar in good standing or admitted to practice in another state and eligible to practice in California for 3 years under the California State Bar rules for the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program preferred.

Candidates who have recently passed the California Bar or will be taking the bar exam at the next sitting are welcome to apply.  Commitment to complying with all California Rules of Professional Conduct, BayLegal funding requirements, and firm standards, policies, and practices.    Current proficiency, and ability to improve proficiency in technological equipment, hardware and software necessary to perform duties of the position.   Humility in working with colleagues and clients, and individuals of all identities, experiences, and perspectives.

Commitment and desire to work with low-income individuals.  Willing to be on-site at BayLegal office or advocacy site at least three days per week and as needed to serve clients.  Received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered.  Experience providing direct legal services to low-income clients preferred.  Experience representing clients with government benefits programs, especially Social Security disability / SSI benefits, preferred.   Ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.   Excellent writing, editing, and proof-reading skills, with ability to be detail oriented.   Strong oral advocacy skills; thoughtful and attentive to client communication.   Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic team.   Curious and self-directed with an ability to anticipate what needs to be done.   Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects while maintaining a firm grasp of individual project details.   Hybrid Work Option :

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.      Physical Demands :

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.   Applications :