Position with Disability Rights California Regional Office

JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Staff Attorney shares responsibility with other legal and advocacy staff for providing information, technical assistance, outreach and training and representation in administrative and judicial proceedings to clients with disabilities. The Staff Attorney works under the direct supervision of the Associate Managing Attorney and in collaboration with other Disability Rights California attorneys and advocates in their legal, advocacy, and outreach efforts.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.    Provide information and short-term assistance to Disability Rights California clients.
2.    Represent clients in negotiations, mediations and judicial and administrative proceedings.
3.    Participate in impact litigation.
4.    Participate in public policy activities including, but not limited to, the reviewing and drafting of legislation and regulations.
5.    Engage in community-based advocacy, outreach, and training to disability communities and organizations, particularly to under-served communities.
6.    Prepare training materials, publications, reports and special projects.
7.    Assist with Disability Rights California organizational development and planning, including the planning and development of Disability Rights California’s Advocacy Services Plan, and participate in statewide and regional teams, usually including two substantive workgroups.
8.    Supervise and mentor law clerks and other staff as assigned.
9.    Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(Applicants MUST meet EACH of the minimum qualifications to be considered for an interview)
1.    J.D. Degree
2.    California State Bar membership; or eligible to practice under the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program (admitted to practice in another state and eligible to practice in California for three years under the California State Bar rules for the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program, and required admittance to the California Bar within three years.)
3.    Two years paid or voluntary legal experience in any combination of the following: a) a social services, human services, community-based, public interest, civil rights or health care environment; b) as an attorney in the practice of public interest law; or c) as an attorney directly representing clients in administrative hearings and/or litigation.  Judicial clerkships or externships may be counted as up to one year of experience. 
4.    Ability to conduct research and analyses of pertinent legal authority.
5.    Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
6.    Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations or administrative proceedings, to actively promote legal, policy and legislative developments at state and local government levels, and to develop and conduct trainings.
7.    Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals with disabilities.
8.    Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals from ethnic or language distinct communities.
9.    The ability to work independently with appropriate supervision. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
1.    Knowledge of laws, rights, and services as they pertain to people with disabilities, and/or direct representation of people with disabilities.
2.    Experience in client representation, particularly in public interest and civil rights law.
3.    Ability to read, write and speak Spanish or an Asian language, or ability to communicate using American Sign Language, with sufficient fluency to do client intakes and conduct trainings.
4.    Experience in the disability rights movement and/or extensive contacts in the disability community.
5.    Experience with and/or extensive contacts in ethnic or language distinct communities.
6.    Familiarity and/or extensive contacts with one or more of the following: homelessness, criminal justice, substance abuse or Gay/Lesbian/Bi-Sexual/Transgender/Intersex (LGBTI) communities.

To Apply Visit CSO Symplicity Job ID 7436

Disability Rights California Job Opportunities

Disability Rights California seeks attorneys who are creative problem solvers and strong advocates with a commitment to public interest work to join our staff.  We have openings for a:

-    Staff Attorney in our Los Angeles Office (which serves a southern California region with more than 15 million residents). 
-    Managing Attorney in our Sacramento Office (which covers more than dozen northern California counties stretching from the Sierras to the Oregon border). 

Disability Rights California (DRC) is a well-established, innovative non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of Californians with disabilities.  DRC works to achieve fairness and justice for people with disabilities through quality representation, advocacy, investigations of abuse and neglect, peer/self advocacy services, community partnerships, legislative and regulatory advocacy work, education and outreach. Our legal work includes both individual cases and cutting-edge impact litigation.

These positions are open until filled.  We will hold the first round of interviews for the Los Angeles Staff Attorney position in July, so please apply no later than June 26 to be considered for this round. 

For more information and to apply visit CSO Symplicity Job ID 7435.

Massachusetts Veterans Stand Down: Volunteers Needed

 Below is a volunteer opportunity passed on from Shelter Legal Services:


We are currently seeking volunteers to assist with providing one-time pro bono legal counseling and advice at Massachusetts Veterans Stand Down. Stand Down is an event for homeless and at risk veterans that is sponsored by the Massachusetts National Guard, Volunteers of America, and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Each year, dozens of agencies get together to provide services to homeless and at risk veterans in a single location. For more information, please visit: http://www.voamass.org/Services/Veterans-Services/Operation-Stand-Down-2

We are seeking volunteers who can assist us with providing one-time counseling and advice in a variety of areas. We especially need individuals with experience in consumer debt, family law, bankruptcy, housing, and criminal matters.

Stand Down is hosted by the National Guard and the objective is to get as many service providers together as possible so that veterans with very limited resources can access services in a single location. Shelter Legal Services has participated in the event for the last four years, and last year members of the Boston Bar Association's Military & Veterans Committee joined us at the event. Volunteers should be aware that typically we are providing services outside in large Army tent, so it is not in an office environment.

We will be providing legal services on Friday, August 24, 2012. We are seeking volunteers who are available from 8:30am to 12:30pm, or 12:30pm to 4:30pm. Please let me know if you would like to attend.

Contact Shelter Legal Services at 617-552-0623 if interested.
www.shelterlegalservices.org

Job Opportunities at the Connecticut Fair Housing Center

The Connecticut Fair Housing Center seeks Staff Attorneys and an Enforcement Attorney for its office. See descriptions below:

STAFF ATTORNEY POSITIONS
Fair Lending and Foreclosure Prevention Project
 CSO JobNet ID 7426- To apply
The Connecticut Fair Housing Center is a statewide nonprofit organization that promotes fair housing. The Center’s core mission is to ensure that all of Connecticut’s residents have access to the housing of their choice. In response to the current foreclosure crisis, the Center has expanded its core anti-discrimination work to include foreclosure prevention. For the last several years, we have devoted a portion of the organization’s staff and monetary resources to providing legal assistance to the thousands of Connecticut residents faced with losing their homes to foreclosure. The Center was awarded funds under the state-federal mortgage settlement to expand its work, and the Center now seeks two attorneys who will assist in its efforts.

Specific responsibilities include:
 Representing and advising homeowners in foreclosure including attending short calendar and mediation sessions, and litigating cases throughout the state;
Providing legal assistance, training, and support to housing counselors, private attorneys, court personnel, state workers, and others assisting homeowners in foreclosure;
Engaging in outreach such as teaching classes to homeowners in foreclosure, educating local officials, and working with the press;
Advocating for improvements to mortgage servicing, loan origination, and the foreclosure and mediation process;
Researching lending and foreclosure data to identify patterns of lending and foreclosure in neighborhoods of color and/or to people of color; and
Collaborating with other Center staff to determine if any lending or foreclosure patterns exist that violate fair housing and fair lending laws.

Qualifications:
J.D. and admission to Connecticut Bar or ability to be admitted without examination required;
 Foreclosure-related experience preferred;
Willingness to spend some weeknights on outreach;
 Demonstrated interest in combating housing discrimination or civil rights violations;
 Comfort with public speaking, including large crowds; and
Bilingual and/or bicultural individuals are encouraged to apply.


STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION
Fair Housing Enforcement
 CSO JobNet ID 7425- To apply
The Connecticut Fair Housing Center, a statewide nonprofit organization that promotes fair housing and assists homeowners in foreclosure, seeks an attorney committed to civil rights and interested in working on fair housing issues.  The Center’s enforcement work focuses on assisting victims of housing discrimination and engaging in policy advocacy to advance the right of individuals to live in housing of their choice.  The person will be located in Hartford but will travel throughout the state to attend court hearings and see clients.

Specific responsibilities include:
Handling a fair housing civil litigation case load;
Filing state and federal court and administrative complaints, conducting discovery, depositions, motions, trials, and post-trial litigation;
 Working under the supervision of the Legal Director, litigate complex cases in state and federal court;
Working collaboratively with other fair housing programs and initiatives to promote fair housing.

Qualifications:
 J.D. and admission to Connecticut Bar or ability to be admitted without examination required;
Civil litigation experience in state and federal court;
Demonstrated interest in combating housing discrimination or civil rights violations;
Superior research, writing, and verbal skills;
Computer competency;
Bi-lingual and/or bi-cultural individuals are encouraged to apply.

Death Penalty Panel Discussion at Harvard Law School

“The Death Penalty: Hanging by a Thread?”

A panel discussion with leading experts on the death penalty

Monday, June 25, 2012

5-6:30 pm

Griswold Hall 110

Harvard Law School

Forty years ago, the US Supreme Court handed down Furman v. Georgia, which led to the de facto moratorium on the death penalty for four years. The US is one of the few industrialized democracies which permits the death penalty. Globally, judicial execution is prohibited in the vast majority of countries; increasingly the long confinement of prisoners on death row is viewed as a form of torture. This panel discussion will explore these and other dimensions with leading experts on the death penalty:

Christof Heyns, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; University of Pretoria

Juan Méndez, United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; American University, Washington D.C.

William A. Schabas, Professor of International Law, University of Middlesex, London

Carol Steiker, Henry J. Friendly Professor of Law, Special Advisor for Public Service, Harvard Law School

Lloyd Barnett, Member of the Inter-American Institute on Human Rights

Nigel Rodley, Chair, Human Rights Center, University of Essex; Member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee

DOVE Inc. Staff Attorney Opportunity

DOVE, Inc. (Domestic Violence Ended) was founded in 1978 by the Quincy Mayor's Commission on
Women and a group of committed community volunteers. Since 1978, DOVE has grown from one crisis
hotline to a comprehensive multi-services organization. DOVE provides a range of services for adults
who have been abused – physically and sexually as well as emotionally and financially. These services
include: crisis intervention; safety assessment and planning; supportive counseling, advocacy, and case
management; emergency shelter; legal services; educational and support groups; and community
outreach and education. DOVE is the only domestic violence shelter and community-based service
provider based in Norfolk County, and also serves the greater South Shore.

Mission Statement
DOVE is committed to partnering with diverse communities, families, and individuals impacted
by domestic violence. We promote hope, healing, safety, and social change by providing a broad
range of preventive and responsive services.

Job Purpose:
The Staff Attorney provides legal representation, brief advice and services, referrals, and safety planning
to both community-based services clients and residential clients.
Reporting responsibilities: The Staff Attorney reports to the Senior Manager, Community Services.

Job Responsibilities:
Provide legal representation to victims of domestic violence in 209A extension hearings.
Provide limited assisted representation to victims of domestic violence in family law hearings,
including divorce, custody, visitation, and child support.
Provide brief advice and services including meeting with clients to assist in filing complaints,
motions, and other court paperwork needed for family law cases.
Provide brief advice and services, including safety planning to callers on the legal helpline.
Participate in the rotation of the Norfolk Court Advocacy project (NCAP) monthly.
Staff DOVE’s Legal Helpline.
Provide consultation to DOVE non-lawyer advocates.
Help identify pro bono or reduced-fee legal representation in civil family aw matters and/or
restraining order cases.
Conduct outreach to the legal community by attending meetings and roundtables with legal
professionals.
Provide supervision to legal interns.
Facilitate legal trainings and participate in planning trainings.

Required Skills & Abilities:
Excellent interpersonal skills, including group facilitation.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong organizational and computer skills.
Ability to work independently and to effectively multi-task.
A strong work ethic and sense of initiative. Someone who leads by example and can work effectively
and collaboratively in a creative and resourceful non-profit setting;
Positive approach, can-do attitude, flexibility, sense of humor, and grace under pressure;
Ability to model and uphold appropriate professional boundaries in work with clients, coworkers,
supervisor, and community.
Bilingual (Portuguese, Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese and English) preferred.
Demonstrated ability and desire to work with diverse populations including, but not limited to,
non-English speaking families and the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered)
community and to learn about and actively use multicultural awareness and understanding in
daily work.
Valid MA driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel within DOVE’s service
area required.
Must be committed to DOVE’s mission, to ending violence and oppression, and to promoting
social change.
Must provide documentation of 35 hours of domestic violence training upon hire, or complete
DOVE’s 35-hour Domestic Violence training within 1st year of hire.

Education & Experience:
J.D. and licensed to practice in Massachusetts.
At least one year of providing legal advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence.
CORI check required upon offer of hire.
Work Schedule: Full-time exempt position, generally weekdays. The LAP Staff Attorney will be required
to work at other times periodically (occasional evening, weekend, and very occasional holiday hours) to
conduct presentations or groups/facilitate meetings and/or attend training/meetings.
Benefits include health insurance, vacation, holiday, and sick time, consistent with DOVE personnel policy.

To apply, send Cover Letter specifically for this position and Resume to:
Sue Chandler
Executive Director
DOVE Inc.
applytodove@gmail.com
Applications will be considered until the position is successfully filled.
June, 2012

Professor Dina Haynes Appellate Advocacy Work with Center for Gender & Refugee Studies

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) at the University of California, Hastings College of Law recognized Professor Dina Haynes' work on appellate advocacy in asylum law in its May 2012 newsletter. Professor Haynes, who directs the Human Rights and Immigration Law Project at the Center, worked on the case in the Matter of A.T. which dealt with a woman from Mali who was subjected to female genital cutting (FGC) and denied asylum. CGRS challenged the decision, filing an amicus brief and coordinating a national advocacy campaign. This work resulted in the decision being vacated and reestablished protection for women who have suffered from FGC in the past and are seeking asylum.  Professor Haynes partnered with attorneys from Williams & Connolly and Reed Smith.

To view the May 2012 newsletter please visit here.

To read the amicus brief submitted by HRILP visit here. This amicus brief is an example of the type of projects students can be involved on through working with the Center.

Planned Parenthood Advocacy Program Officer Opportunity

ADVOCACY PROGRAM OFFICER/ Latin America & Caribbean
Planned Parenthood® Federation of America’s International Program has an opening for an Advocacy Program Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Miami, Florida.

SUMMARY:  Based on PPFA’s mission and goals, the Advocacy Program Officer facilitates the development, implementation, and long-term viability of PPFA’s international sexual and reproductive health and rights advocacy projects.  Facilitates the improvement, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of advocacy partners in Latin America and the Caribbean.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Provides overall program monitoring/evaluation with participation of partner agencies
•   Provides technical assistance to develop and plan strategies specific to each project for ongoing improvements that advance sexual and reproductive rights
•  Prepares reports, including donor reports and proposals
•  Writes articles for publication
•   Collaborates with central office and other regional staff to develop new concepts, evaluate ongoing efforts, and integrate efforts into work of PPFA
•  Liaises with sister organizations to leverage impact of partners and PPFA
• Support the work of the regional office
•    Perform other related duties as assigned or requested

REQUIREMENTS:
Law degree or other advanced degree in policy, international development or related field required.  Three to five years experience in advocacy- or policy-related activities, project planning, designing, monitoring and evaluation, preferably with a reproductive health/rights focus.  Minimum of 2-year work experience in Latin America.

SKILLS:  Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.  Ability to analyze and synthesize information to generate persuasive and clear verbal and written communications; Strong time management skills and the ability to multitask and meet deadlines with a keen attention to detail and follow through; Self-directed; Able to anticipate, prioritize, and manage tasks.  Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.  Must be able to represent PPFA in a culturally competent manner.  Must demonstrate good interpersonal and negotiation skills, in addition to ability to work autonomously, using good decision making and computer skills. Knowledge of reproductive health issues, specifically in developing countries, is required. Knowledge of diverse groups, working with a multicultural workforce, and sensitivity and appreciation to cultural differences is required.  Ability to travel a minimum of 35% of time.  Fluent in Spanish.
Send resume and cover letter to laro@ppfa.org