Directing 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 Directing Attorney to join our Health Program at 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, SCVMC Valley Specialty Center Clinics, Valley Health Center Downtown Clinic, Gender Health Center, and individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County.

What You’ll Do

The Directing Attorney will oversee the Health team's direct legal services and system change initiatives, including policy advocacy, local systems reform, and impact litigation. In addition, they will directly supervise the program leadership team, leveraging their role to enhance LFSV’s strong reputation and relationships with funders, policymakers, partners, and client communities. The Directing Attorney will play a key role in maintaining and expanding funding resources while managing the administrative aspects of the program.

This full-time position involves close collaboration with LFSV’s management team to support the goals and operations of the entire organization, including implementation of the strategic plan.

As the Health Directing Attorney, you will:

• Manage and provide effective leadership to a team of dedicated attorneys, community advocates, and support staff.
• Foster a collaborative and mission-driven work environment to maximize the team's potential.
• Take full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Health team. Ensure that all aspects of the program align with our mission and strategic goals.
• Track policy and legal developments in the areas of health equity, racial justice, mental health, disability rights, social determinants of health, and other substantive legal issues affecting program clients.
• Offer guidance, feedback, and support to team members, fostering their professional growth and development.
• Oversee fiscal management, fundraising efforts, and program administration to maintain and grow the resources necessary for program sustainability and expansion.
• Lead the program in systemic reform efforts, including policy and legislative advocacy, local systems reform, and impact litigation.
• Advocate for the rights and mental health consumers in line with our organization's goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community stakeholders and partners.
• Encourage and facilitate pro bono work within the program, leveraging the expertise and support of volunteers to further our mission.
• Engage with the Board of Directors, including attendance at Board meetings, to provide updates and align program objectives with the organization's strategic vision.
• Manage public relations efforts, maintaining positive relationships with contractors, the community, and clients.
• Participate in the development and execution of fundraising events to secure financial support for the program.
• Collaborate with the broader management team to address organizational needs and objectives.
• Work closely with other programs and departments to build cohesion and unity within the organization.

Requirements

Who You Are

You are an experienced legal leader with a strong commitment to serving low-income communities and advancing social justice.

Core Competencies

• Strategic & Systems Leadership: Sets a clear vision for the program and drives system-level change through policy advocacy, partnerships, and impact litigation. Able to connect day-to-day legal work to broader health and social justice outcomes.
• People Leadership & Team Development: Leads with clarity, accountability, and care. Builds a high-performing, collaborative team through strong supervision, thoughtful delegation, and investment in staff growth and retention.
• External Leadership & Relationship Management: Serves as a credible and effective representative of the program with funders, public agencies, healthcare partners, and community stakeholders. Builds and sustains relationships that advance program goals and expand impact.
• Operational & Financial Stewardship: Oversees program operations, including budgeting, grants, and administrative systems, with a focus on sustainability, accountability, and effective use of resources.
• Communication & Influence: Communicates complex legal and policy issues clearly and persuasively across diverse audiences. Navigates challenging conversations with sound judgment and transparency.
• Equity-Centered Practice: Brings a deep understanding of how systems impact individuals with mental health disabilities and those experiencing homelessness. Centers client voice, advances equitable outcomes, and fosters an inclusive, respectful team culture.

Required Qualifications

• Active member in good standing with the California State Bar
• Minimum 10 years of legal experience, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 or similar productivity and collaboration tools

What We Offer

This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to the Chief Program Officer. The annual salary range for this role is $140,000 – 149,000.

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 Health Directing 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.

Free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents through our Employee Assistance Program

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 supervises members 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 our application process to be fair, transparent, and timely. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning April 3, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. We encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.

To Apply, please Submit: 

1. A cover letter that explains your interest and also addresses the following question: In order to best serve our clients and our community, the Law Foundation is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity amongst our staff? 
2. A current resume
3. Three professional references. Please note that we will confirm that your references are appropriate to contact before reaching out to them.

Our interview process may include phone, video, and/or in-person interviews. 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