Staff Attorney - Health Consumer Center (Hybrid)

Description:

Position: Staff Attorney focused exclusively on medical debt and related health insurance coverage matters to address the unwinding of the Public Health Emergency and the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 on low-income Californians, as well as its widespread disruption of the healthcare industry in rural California.

Project: The A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group's aim is to reduce the impact of medical debt on underserved, rural Californians by increasing access to legal services to address medical debt and increase access to health services by assisting consumers with obtaining and maintaining health benefits. Medical debt and health consumer direct services will be sustained in Imperial County and expanded to an additional 18 rural and semi-rural counties (i.e., Colusa, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, Ventura, Yuba).

The Health Consumer Center provides civil legal services related to:

• Debt collection, wage garnishment, or bank account levy defense,
• Financial abuse related to consumer debt,
• Protection against unfair debt collection practices,
• Protection against unfair or predatory lending and consumer scams,
• Credit reporting and credit discrimination,
• Bankruptcy, and
• Other debt matters including those related to student loan, auto loan, credit card, and medical debt.
• Experience: 6+ months
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: Any A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group Office (Hybrid- 3 days/week in office)
• Other: FLSA Exempt, Full-Time, Union Position

Essential Responsibilities/Duties:

• Provides statewide legal services to low-income clients and client groups, including advice, negotiation, litigation, and administrative advocacy in accordance with program priorities and case-handling policies.
• Reviews and supervises the work product of Community Workers and Clerical support staff relating to all clients being advised or represented by him/her.
• Undertakes significant statewide impact activity, including institutional and group litigation or community economic development beneficial to the low-income community.
• Develops leadership in working with community, client, and other advocacy groups related to statewide impact issues.
• Works to develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and acts as a resource for other staff through participation in at least one A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group task force.
• Coordinates advocacy in substantive areas through collaboration with other human services providers, non-profit organizations, and community, client, or other advocacy groups.
• Participates in A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group training programs, local office case reviews or staff meetings, or other A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group activities as required.
• Provides community education regarding legal rights and prepares materials relating to these presentations.
• Works with members of the private bar as necessary in accordance with A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group Private Bar Involvement.
• Maintains contemporaneous time records in the A 501 Non-Profit Legal and Political Advocacy Group case management system.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all members of the office staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience:

• Admitted to practice law in the State of CA or willing to take the next CA Bar Exam.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Able to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.

Preferred Education and Experience:
A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:

• Experience working with low-income families and communities.
• Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
• Prior experience in legal services and additional language ability relevant.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish).

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