Job Description

The JDC Supervising Attorney, Family Law is one of several supervising attorneys on the JDC staff reporting to the Director/Managing Attorney of PBLS. Each supervising attorney administers and coordinates various pro bono programs and special projects.

The Family Law Supervising Attorney position requires a general understanding of poverty law and significant experience with and knowledge of family law. Responsibilities include: training and supervising the FLASH staff attorney and SASH Legal Information Staff Attorney, training and supervising Client Advocates in family law matters, training and supervising volunteer attorneys in family law, reviewing the merit of potential client cases, resolving client problems and complaints, updating and developing substantive trainings in family law, collaborating with other legal services organizations and community agencies, conducting community outreach, helping to recruit pro bono attorneys, and representing JDC on community boards related to family law and domestic violence.

Duties and Responsibilities;

• Maintains and oversees a system for intake and placement for of low-income clients with family law, domestic violence, guardianship, and conservatorship wills.
• Works with Landlord Tenant Supervising Attorney and with Director of Social Services to train, supervise and support a staff of Client Advocates in areas related to family law and domestic violence.
• Evaluates family law, guardianship, and conservatorship matters for purposes of issue spotting and placement.
• Leads weekly new client review and team meetings.
• Works closely with Landlord Tenant Supervising Attorney to coordinate intake, case evaluation and placement of family law cases
• Oversees and coordinates limited scope projects for volunteers
• Works closely with the Court’s ACCESS Center, CROC, LRIS, FLASH and other referral sources to ensure smooth referrals to and from JDC’s Family Law Project.
• Provides training and ongoing support to volunteer attorneys working on family law, guardianship, and conservatorship matters for JDC clients.
• Supervises placement of family law, guardianship, and conservatorship matters with volunteer attorneys.
• Recruits and assigns mentors to volunteer attorneys.
• Works with Pro Bono Manager to coordinate recruitment of attorneys and other volunteers for family law cases,
• Collaborates with other agencies to provide legal and other services to low-income clients.
• Develops and updates attorney trainings and materials for trainings in family law, guardianships, and conservatorships including both introductory and advanced trainings
• Work with clients and volunteer attorneys on family law, guardianship, conservatorship and will matters in the event of a problem between them
• Serves as JDC representative on board of CROC, DVC and other community agencies as needed.
• Attends regular meetings of the Family Law Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco.
• Maintains close working relationships with all components of the San Francisco Unified Family Court.
• Prepares various regular reports to funding sources as required under contracts
• Supervises, drafts and/or assists staff to prepare regular grant reports as required under contracts
• May travel throughout the United States to represent the JDC at legal and community conferences.
• Assists Managing attorney and Development staff in preparing proposals to funders and other organizations that provide monetary and non-monetary support
• Attends community meetings that arise on other issues and acts as the JDC voice when called upon to describe specific programs
• Performs their own administrative work.

Education and Experience:

• Must be a member of the California State Bar in good standing
• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience in family law
• Demonstrate experience in supervising others
• Experience representing low-income clients is preferable
• Professional working proficiency in Spanish is preferable

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirement:

• Demonstrate consistent and effective management of projects
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
• Possess ability to make quick decisions, and good judgment
• Possess ability to work on several projects simultaneously, and handle a high volume of activity
• Demonstrate a measurable commitment to assisting disadvantaged communities

Working Conditions;

Offices located in downtown San Francisco. An essential aspect of this position is to attend community meetings and oversee court-based volunteer projects. At times, it may be necessary to perform these responsibilities offsite. In addition, because the project involves serving as a resource for intake staff and providing information to volunteer attorneys and clients, you should be at work from home or in the office during normal, agreed-upon business hours. From time to time, evening hours may be necessary to attend community meetings and the like. There is significant computer and telephone use.

Why Work for Us:

We offer a collaborative work environment, a progressive work culture, and a wonderfully diverse staff. We have a standard 35-hour workweek, flexible scheduling (manager’s discretion), and we are a mission and values-based organization.

We also offer a generous benefits package that includes: a choice of medical insurance plans, dental insurance, vision insurance, pretax commuter, health and dependent care accounts, employer paid short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, a retirement and profit-sharing benefit, and more.

To find out more about JDC, please visit our website at

To Apply:

Please submit cover letter and resume.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by applicable Local, State or Federal employment discrimination laws.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs