MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Join a progressive state wide non-profit disability advocacy organization that is committed to the fight for the legal and human rights of people with disabilities. Protection & Advocacy, Inc. has a vacancy for an energetic and dedicated Staff Attorney to join the legal staff in our new Fresno satellite office. This is an excellent opportunity to do legal work that truly makes a difference. PAI offers excellent benefits and a great work environment!

PAI has been a leader in California disability rights advocacy for over 25 years. We strive to create a barrier free, inclusive society that values diversity and each individual. We seek one strong lawyer in Fresno to work in advancing the human and legal rights of Californians with disabilities.

PAI is a non-profit agency with state, federal and private funding, serving persons with all types of disabilities through litigation and innovative advocacy strategies. PAI works to achieve fairness and justice for people with disabilities through quality representation, advocacy, investigations of abuse and neglect, peer/self advocacy services, community partnerships, legislative and regulatory advocacy work, education and outreach. Our legal work includes individual and impact litigation acting as amicus curiae in disability-related cases. PAI is committed to working in partnership with individuals with disabilities and served 24,246 Californians with disabilities in 2006.

The Staff Attorney shares responsibility with other legal and advocacy staff providing information, technical assistance, outreach and training and representation in administrative and judicial proceedings to clients with disabilities. The Staff Attorney works under the direct supervision of the Associate Managing Attorney and in collaboration with other PAI attorneys and advocates in their legal, advocacy, and outreach efforts.
The Staff Attorney will be expected to provide advocacy services to individuals with disabilities in the areas of enforcing rights under special education, mental health, public benefits, developmental disability, housing discrimination, and employment rights under the American with Disabilities Act.
The following qualifications must be met:

1. J.D. Degree
2. California State Bar membership; or eligible to practice under the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program (admitted to practice in another state and eligible to practice in California for three years under the California State Bar rules for the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program, and required admittance to the California Bar within three years.)

3. Two years paid or voluntary legal experience in any combination of the following: a) a social services, human services, community-based, public interest, civil rights or health care environment; b) as an attorney in the practice of public interest law; or c) as an attorney directly representing clients in administrative hearings and/or litigation. Judicial clerkships or externships may be counted as up to one year of experience.
4. Ability to conduct research and analyses of pertinent legal authority.
5. Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
6. Effective communication skills sufficient to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations or administrative proceedings, to actively promote legal, policy and legislative developments at state and local government levels, and to develop and conduct trainings.
7. Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals with disabilities.
8. Experience working with or sensitivity to individuals from ethnic or language distinct communities.
9. The ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.

If you are interested in applying for this position, it is extremely important you complete the required application packet and submit to the Human Resources Department by July 18, 2008. For more information you may visit www.pai-ca.org or call 916-658-2659. RESUMES RECEIVED WITHOUT ALL OF THE REQUIRED MATERIALS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

$4,318-$5,794/ month; $51,816-$69,528/ year DOE