UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW is hiring a Staff Attorney for its Veterans Legal Clinic in the School of Law.

Clinic Background

The UCLA School of Law Veterans Legal Clinic provides legal assistance to former service members and their families. The Clinic is located at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles campus, which is being redeveloped to provide additional housing opportunities to unhoused former service members. Many of the Clinic’s clients are people that are unhoused and stay on the VA campus and those who are aging, disabled, or system-involved or returning from incarceration.

The Clinic represents clients in an array of issues, including disability benefits (both VA benefits and Social Security), record clearing, and housing. In addition to providing direct legal representation to individuals, the Clinic seeks to provide an interdisciplinary approach to client engagement by collaborating with other advocates, such as social workers and community organizers. The Clinic also engages in policy advocacy in collaboration with community partners and may participate in impact litigation projects. 

Position Description

The UCLA School of Law Veterans Legal Clinic is seeking a staff attorney to join its team serving the veteran community. The Clinic is a small law office and the Staff Attorney has the opportunity to make a significant contribution in determining how services are provided. The Staff Attorney will be primarily located at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus.

Please note: The Clinic operates as both a small pro bono law firm and an experiential learning course for UCLA law students. Though law students will be providing legal assistance as part of their coursework throughout the school year, the Staff Attorney will not be responsible for teaching these students but may work closely with clinical supervisors and student teams.

Qualifications:

• 0-5 years experience practicing law, 3+ years preferred;
• Admitted to practice law in the State of California or ability to practice as a Registered Legal Aid Attorney pursuant to California Court Rule 9.45 preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to working to address the needs of low-income communities, former service members, disabled, justice-involved individuals, and/or racial justice;
• Familiarity or experience with issues facing former service members and their families, unhoused individuals, mass incarceration, and/or low-income communities;
• Demonstrated excellent legal research and writing skills;
• Strong communications skills to interact effectively with clients, faculty, staff, students, court and agency staff, and the public;
• Ability to independently manage a caseload and quickly assume responsibilities;
• Veterans or service-connected individuals, women, and individuals from historically disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply: Please submit your application through the UCLA Careers portal. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged to send in materials as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the position, please contact Faculty Director Sunita Patel, patel@law.ucla.edu, or Associate Director Jeanne Nishimoto, nishimoto@law.ucla.edu.