Fellow - Consumer Rights & Economic Justice

Description

ABOUT PUBLIC COUNSEL

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles. Public Counsel organizes its work through seven legal teams: Child, Youth & Family Advocacy, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, Education Equity, and our impact litigation team, Opportunity Under Law.

Public Counsel has a staff of approximately 170. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. We recognize the essential role of staff in achieving our goals, and we have set a long-term intention to provide competitive compensation, benefits, training, mentorship, and overall workplace wellness, making Public Counsel a leader among nonprofit law firms.

ABOUT CONSUMER RIGHTS & ECONOMIC JUSTICE

CREJ advances racial and economic justice by representing and advocating for individuals who are low-income and their families to improve their financial futures, safeguard intergenerational wealth, address systemic inequalities, and oppose the institutions and companies that take advantage of the communities we serve. Our diverse team provides direct services to low-income people in Los Angeles and surrounding counties, engages in impact litigation on consumer and civil rights issues, and advocates for laws and policies to protect consumers and the economically vulnerable at the local, state and national levels. In addition to a core group of attorneys and staff dedicated to consumer and economic justice issues, CREJ also encompasses access to justice clinics for state appellate and federal self-represented litigants. CREJ also runs Cancer Justice, a national program focused on the legal and financial impacts of cancer, particularly issues affecting economic stability and health equity.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Supervising Attorney, the Fellow will:

• •Provide direct legal services to low-income clients, including seniors
• •Develop expertise in foreclosure defense, loss mitigation, and other legal issues related to income stabilization for low-income homeowners, including debt collection and student loan matters
• •Conduct community presentations on topics including the foreclosure process, homeowners’ rights, scam avoidance, consumer debt defense, and bankruptcy
• •Collaborate with community-based organizations to conduct outreach on legal services and financial relief for homeowners at greatest risk of foreclosure throughout Los Angeles, Kern, and Ventura Counties
• •Staff monthly homeowner preservation clinics
• •Contribute to litigation, as appropriate
• •Assist the Directing Attorney, Supervising Attorney, and team with occasional research and writing projects, as well as grant reporting
• •Supervise summer law clerks and other volunteers
• •Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• •0-2 years of experience in legal advocacy
• •Juris Doctor degree and a member in good standing of the California State Bar. Applicants awaiting July 2026 California Bar Exam results are encouraged to apply and may be interviewed; however, offers will not be extended until passage of the bar is confirmed, and employment will be contingent on admission to the State Bar of California.
• •Excellent oral and written communications skills
• •Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• •Ability to quickly assimilate complex case facts and good attention to detail
• •Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage a full caseload
• •Willingness and desire to litigate
• •Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently while seeking guidance when appropriate
• •Collaborative, team-oriented approach with the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, clients, and community organizations and members
• •Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, including the ability to receive, incorporate, and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback
• •High levels of emotional intelligence, maturity and cultural competency, including being curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, empathetic, patient, and willing to listen, and having a growth and open mindset
• •Commitment to economic and racial justice, including participation in and advancement of equity and inclusion work at Public Counsel
• •Experience in consumer law, particularly foreclosure defense, debt collection, and/or student loan matters, is highly desirable
• •Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in Spanish desirable
• •Exempt employees are expected to work a minimum of 37.5 hours per week and must work all additional time necessary to accomplish job duties in a timely and professional manner. They must be flexible in work hours so as to provide superior quality and timely service to clients consistent with the position and professional responsibility obligations.

JOB TYPE AND BENEFITS

• •Full-time/exempt
• •Salary for an attorney with 0–2 years of experience is $77,000 to $78,000, depending upon years of experience.
• •Bargaining
• •Probationary period: 9 months
• •Fixed-duration position funded for 18 months from start date. This position is created with designated funds for 18 months from the start date. Continued employment past this date is contingent on additional funding for the position.

Public Counsel offers a competitive benefits package including :

• •Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage
• •Dental and vision coverage
• •Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
• •Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans

Generous paid time off (per year):

• •15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
• •12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs
• •2 personal observance days
• •11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)
• •Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)

Additional benefits:

• •403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution
• •Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement
• •$45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties
• •Up to 6 months of parental leave
• •Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
• •Professional development support and opportunities
• •Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications (state bar dues for attorneys) and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization
• •Centrally located headquarters in the heart of Koreatown, a vibrant neighborhood with easy access to public transportation, diverse dining options, and cultural attractions

HOW TO APPLY

We value lived experiences and experiences working with clients across a range of settings. Please consider discussing such experiences in your cover letter, especially if they are not reflected in your resume.

PUBLIC COUNSEL VACCINATION POLICY AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Public Counsel requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees, including new hires . Pursuant to federal and state laws, Public Counsel will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employ