Supervising Attorney - Health

Description

Who We Are 

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (“Law Foundation”) is dedicated to advancing the rights of historically excluded individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County. Through our legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach, we empower over 14,000 individuals and families each year. Our Housing, Children & Youth, Health and Pro Bono Programs use legal advocacy as a catalyst for social change, creating innovative solutions to the legal challenges facing low-income communities in our region. With a dedicated team of over 85 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. Learn more at https://www.lawfoundation.org/ . 

The Opportunity 

We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Supervising Attorney to join our Health program at the Law Foundation. The Health Program provides free legal advice and representation to individuals in Santa Clara County who identify as living with mental health disabilities. We also provide free legal help to patients of Valley Homeless Health Program, Valley Health Center Downtown Clinic, Gender Health Center, and individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County. 

What You’ll Do 

As a Supervising Attorney you will: 

Management / Supervision 

• Supervise a team of staff attorneys and professional staff, including oversight of casework 
• Support implementation of program priorities, workflows, and internal processes established in partnership with leadership 
• Help implement internal operational policies and procedures 
• Foster a learning culture through regular feedback, coaching, and case/project debriefs 
• Celebrate successes and help team members manage setbacks 
• Promote staff engagement, collaboration, goal setting, and professional growth 
• Advance the Law Foundation’s race, equity, and inclusion (REI) values in day-to-day supervision and practice 
• Contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences 
• Collaborate across departments to support coordinated service delivery 

Advocacy 

• Ensure that community lawyering and advocacy remain central to the Health team’s work 
• Lead direct legal services, including public benefits advocacy, civil commitment hearings, and public health-related legal work 
• Represent and advocate for individuals living with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, and other chronic health issues linked to poverty 
• Oversee projects related to monitoring mental health facilities for legal compliance and potential violations 
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, allies, and coalition organizations in support of team goals 
• Partner with internal teams to ensure coordinated, seamless, and client-centered service delivery 

Who You Are 

To be successful in this role, you will bring: 

• Leadership in Legal Practice. You either currently supervise or manage attorneys or legal staff, or you have experience leading teams, people, or complex legal work and are ready to move into a formal management role in a mission-driven environment. 
• Mission Alignment & Equity Commitment. A strong commitment to the Law Foundation’s mission, with a deep dedication to civil rights, social justice, and racial equity. You understand how systemic barriers and intersecting identities shape legal outcomes and are motivated to advance inclusion, belonging, and more equitable systems through your work. 
• Leadership & Cultural Competency. Strong emotional intelligence and cultural competency, with experience leading, coaching, or mentoring a diverse team. You are able to support others, contribute to a healthy team culture, and recognize and address inequitable work norms. You have experience working with diverse communities, including communities of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, trans individuals, people experiencing homelessness, people living with disabilities or chronic health conditions tied to poverty, people actively using substances, and individuals with involvement in the criminal legal system. 
• Legal Expertise & Systems Knowledge. Experience and understanding of public benefits, estate planning, employment, and consumer law, and/or significant experience working with mental health consumers, particularly in an in-patient hospitalization setting, as well as relevant state and federal constitutional and civil rights laws. You have experience working with systems such as Social Security and health agencies and can manage a litigation docket or legal caseload. 
• Communication & Collaboration. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across audiences. You are organized, able to manage competing priorities, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a legal team environment. 

Requirements

• Current member in good standing with the California State Bar 
• 3-5 years of pre-litigation and administrative advocacy experience and/or 3-5 years of public interest or similar advocacy experience 
• A valid driver’s license or other reliable transportation (to travel locally as needed for case work and court appearances) 
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 or similar, with openness to learning new tools 
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, including use of standard office equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation 
• A demonstrated commitment to racial equity, inclusion, and belonging, and an understanding of how race and other intersecting identities shape our work and the systems impacting our clients 

What We Offer 

This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to the Directing Attorney of the Health team. The annual salary range for this role is  $124,750 to $138,250 . 

We are committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and professional development of our team members. To that end, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefit package, which includes: 

• 19 paid holidays per year 
• 3-5 weeks of vacation per year 
• 12 days of sick leave per year 
• Up to 6 months of parental leave 
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums 
• Free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents through our Employee Assistance Program 
• A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions 
• A sabbatical after 5 years of employment 
• An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job 
• An annual budget for professional development 
• Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees 
• The flexibility to work a hybrid schedule 
• An office building that offers a fully equipped gym, outdoor terrace, convenient on-site parking, bike storage, lounge areas, and 24/7 security 

Workplace Expectations 

The Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace. Please note that the Supervising Attorney may be expected to work in our San Jose office a minimum of 2 days/week.   

Employees must be California State residents. Due to logistical challenges regarding taxes, insurance, and time zones, we are not able to consider staff in other states at this time. 

Working At Law Foundation 

The Law Foundation is a unionized workplace, and members of the bargaining unit are represented by SEIU Local 521. This position is not part of the bargaining unit.  

Additionally, the Law Foundation is strongly committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for our staff, volunteers, clients, and partners. To achieve this goal, the Law Foundation actively works to improve communications, community engagement, systems and structures, and office culture to create an inclusive and respectful workplace where differences are acknowledged and valued. 

We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. The Law Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal legal system, or any other basis prohibited by law.  

Application Process 

We aim for the application process to be fair, reasonable, and prompt. We will review applications on a rolling basis starting on  November 11th, 2026. until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  Please note that our interview process includes interviewing by phone, video, and/or in-person.  

Application materials must include: 

• A cover letter that addresses the following: How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity among our staff? 
• A resume 
• Contact information for three professional references. We will always ask for your consent and inform you before contacting any of your references.  

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team that values people, trust, accountability, creativity, joy, and fun, we would love to hear from you!  

Equal Opportunity Employment 

The Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer.  We encourage people of color, womxn, people living with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to apply.  It is the policy of the Law Foundation to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status.  The Law Foundation will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. 

ADA Accessible Facility - Equal Opportunity Employer - Drug-Free Workplace