Plays a critical role in directly impacting individuals’ access to employment, housing, and occupational opportunities by removing the barriers created by past convictions. This position is vital to advancing Root & Rebound’s mission of supporting individuals navigating the reentry process and reducing the harmful effects of mass incarceration.

Employment Status: Full time, starting immediately 

Location: 787 Alameda Street, Suite 260, Los Angeles, CA 90021 

Work Model: Hybrid (3 days a week in-office)

Root & Rebound (R&R) is a national reentry advocacy nonprofit, whose mission is to help people navigate reentry and reduce the harms perpetuated by mass incarceration. We provide holistic reentry legal services across all of California, with physical offices in Oakland and Fresno. We provide legal know-your-rights information, and individual services on a wide variety of collateral consequences of a conviction.  Learn more at www.rootandrebound.org

The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) works to end mass incarceration in California. To ensure our communities are safe, healthy, and whole, ARC empowers formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive reentry services, and opportunities to advocate for policy change. Through our grassroots policy advocacy, we are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system so that it is more just and equitable for all people. Learn more at: www.antirecidivism.org.

About the Position:

New Record Cleaning laws greatly increase eligibility for dismissals of California convictions (colloquially known as “expungements”). The person in this role will be an instrumental part of the team to ensure that as many Californians as possible are able to access that record cleaning remedy. This person will work in a cross-organizational team to assist clients in developing the strongest possible petitions and file those in a timely manner. This is a high caseload position, where the attorney will be working as a vital team member in a team of staff and volunteers to achieve high impact outcomes for a large number of clients.

Record cleaning–a relatively uniform process for removing prior convictions from view on certain records in California–can have huge impacts on the collateral consequences of a conviction, from housing to employment and occupational licensing and more. After record cleaning, one client explained, “I no longer have to worry about a new employer running my background. I can also find another apartment to live in that can run my record and see nothing. I have had problems in the past and have to live in other places because I [have a felony conviction].” This work changes lives in fundamental and profound ways.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

• Direct Legal Services:
  • Conduct holistic legal intakes, as referred by ARC or through legal clinics to assess reentry legal needs and develop appropriate legal services plans;
  • Based on the outcome of holistic legal assessment, R&R Attorney and other staff will provide follow-up legal assistance to clients on their reentry legal needs through legal research and advice; helping clients with administrative or court filings; informal advocacy to achieve legal goals; court representation in high-need/high-impact cases; as well as providing tailored referrals.
  • Carry and independently manage a client caseload of approximately 20 additional clients pursuing expungement 
  • Provide Know-Your-Rights trainings to ARC clients and the reentry community in general as well as develop factsheets about relevant reentry legal issues and update our current educational resources, as needed and as time permits;
  • Maintain necessary records for effective teamwork on cases, grant proposals, reports, and audits.

Partnership Role:

Per R&R’s agreement with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition:

• The primary focus of the staff attorney will be on record cleaning (also known as expungement) for California-based convictions. Responsibilities include working with ARC’s Expungement staff to develop and maintain a system for record expungement, reviewing RAP Sheets, reviewing expungement packets, and assisting with filing as needed.

As time permits, the attorney may be required to address the following reentry legal matters for ARC members:

• Parole or probation issues, consisting of advising and drafting on administrative (form 602) grievances, assisting as appropriate with communication with supervision officers and assistance with early termination petitions;
• Employment issues stemming from one’s conviction history; and
• Advice and counsel on family law issues.

In addition to this core caseload, the R&R Attorney will also attend ARC member meetings and events as their schedule permits. R&R will participate and/or host community clinics and trainings that serve more community members as capacity permits.

Support the Fundraising efforts as needed:

• Represent Root & Rebound in funder meetings related to this role and partnership;
• Maintain necessary records in Root & Rebound client management system for grant reporting and audits; and
• Support Development, Policy, Communications, and Storytelling projects as needed

Qualifications:

• Eligibility or pending eligibility to practice law in the State of California.
• 0-2 years experience working as an attorney, working directly with clients and in court representation. Direct experience working with people with records and/or in reentry preferred. A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and criminal justice issues.
• An understanding of or a willingness to learn from individuals with system involvement.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly and proactively interact with diverse audiences.
• Willingness to travel throughout Los Angeles County.
• Experience working directly with clients and in court representation. Direct experience working with people with records and/or in reentry preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social justice.
• Eagerness to take initiative, solve intricate problems, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and prioritize and organize in a deadline-driven environment.
• Positive, professional, and humble attitude.
• Strong work ethic, resilience, and determination.
• Proactive communicator and team builder.
• Flexible and able to prioritize work effectively with excellent time management.
• Creative, enthusiastic, and willing to learn and try new things.

Commitment & Values:

• Deep commitment to racial equity, social justice, and the mission of supporting individuals navigating reentry and addressing the harms of mass incarceration.
• Proven ability to model behavior consistent with Root & Rebound’s mission, values, and vision.
• Commitment to continuous learning, including anti-racist and race equity practices.

Attributes:

• Self-directed, well-organized, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Positive, professional, and humble attitude with a strong work ethic, resilience, and determination.
• Proactive communicator and team builder, able to engage and relate to people at all levels.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to work in environments with ambiguity and changing priorities.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with an eagerness to try new ideas and innovate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Spanish
• individuals with lived experience of incarceration of system involvement are encouraged to apply

Compensation & Benefits:

This position will begin as a full-time position with a competitive salary of $70,000-80,000 annualized and employment benefits that include medical, vision, and dental care, plus 15 days PTO and additional holiday closures.  Employees who are fluent in Spanish receive an additional $2,000/year. 

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please upload a resume, cover letter (including interest in working for Root & Rebound), one short writing sample (max. 10 pages), and at least three references (explaining your professional relationship and including their contact information) to the Root & Rebound form, linked here. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.

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Root & Rebound is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including formerly incarcerated and/or system-involved individuals.  We look at each applicant’s full experience and consider each applicant.  We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system and its impacts are strongly encouraged to apply. We depend on a diverse team to accomplish our mission!