³ÉÈ˶¶Òõ

Job Title: Public Benefits/Education Lead Attorney
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Reports To: Practice Group Director
Supervises: Attorneys, Paralegals and Legal Secretaries as required

Inland Counties Legal Services is seeking a Public Benefits/Education Lead Attorney to join our Public Benefits/Education Team. Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing legal services to low-income persons residing in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. ICLS targets services to seniors and those in the greatest social or economic need. Legal services are provided by attorneys, or paralegals under the direct supervision of an attorney. Levels of service include advice and counsel, limited action (includes negotiations and preparation of legal documents), as well as direct representation before administrative law and civil courts. ICLS provides legal assistance for a wide range of legal issues. ICLS practice groups are: Elder, Consumer (including Tax and Bankruptcy), Housing, Family Law, Immigration, Systemic/Impact, Health Law, and Public Benefits/Education. Visit our website at www.inlandlegal.org for more information.

Overview of Position

We are seeking a Public Benefits/Education Lead Attorney to join our dynamic Public Benefits/Education Law practice group, which focuses on providing comprehensive legal services, advocacy, and representation to clients, including helping with the application for and maintenance of low-income and disability benefits for vulnerable individuals reliant upon such income for housing and living expenses. Additionally, our Education Law practice assists with school discipline and discrimination matters, as well as obtaining evaluations and the necessary supports and services for students with special education needs.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Practice Group Director to supervise attorneys and non-attorney paralegal advocates
• Provide support and training to new and current staff in substantive areas of law
• Organize and participate in community outreach events, legal workshops and clinics
• Oversee compliance with ICLS and LSC guidelines
• Develop broad legal expertise in public benefits and education law
• Interview and counsel clients
• Assist with conducting research, reviewing medical records, and evaluating claims based on merit
• Drafting and filing applications, appeals and briefs, as well as engage in mediation and negotiation to satisfactorily resolve clients’ legal issues
• Assist and/or represent clients during the application and appeal process for disability benefits and other public benefits
• Assist clients in achieving document readiness (e.g., obtaining California ID card, birth certificates, marriage certificates etc.) that impacts their ability to
obtain benefits and housing
• Assist and/or represent clients for state complaints with the California Department of Education and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.

Desired Education and Experience

 Degree from law school and active member of the California Bar in good standing
 Ability to understand the objectives of poverty law
 Prior work experience, paid or volunteer, with low-income organizations and client groups is preferred
 five years of relevant work experience
 Knowledge of federal and state public benefits and/or education law
 Strong written, verbal, and interviewing skills
 Attention to detail and strong organization skills
 Patient and flexible
 Self-motivated, takes initiative, ability to learn quickly
 Prior supervisory experience preferred

How to Apply

Submit a compelling letter of interest and resume to HRManager@icls.org. 

The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering a diverse environment. The sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces. Staff approach professional relationships with humility across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency with a willingness to consider unique perspectives. Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.