Directing Attorney – Consumer Law Project
Public Counsel is the largest pro bono public interest law firm in the country. Founded in 1970, it is dedicated to advancing equal justice under law by delivering free legal and social services to the most vulnerable members of our community. Public Counsel’s eight programmatic areas are Appellate Law, Children’s Rights, Community Development, Consumer Law, Early Care and Education, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, and Veteran’s Benefits. Public Counsel has a full-time staff of approximately 125, including approximately 75 staff attorneys.
Fighting for justice for indigent victims of consumer fraud and abuse is the hallmark of Public Counsel’s oldest project, the Consumer Law Project (“CLP”). Since 1970, CLP and its volunteer attorneys have represented thousands of low-income consumers who have been harmed by home equity scams, financial elder abuse, auto fraud, deceptive for-profit schools, unlawful debt collection, and a wide variety of other forms of consumer fraud. CLP also runs a bankruptcy project, the Debtor Assistance Project, which operates a Self-Help Resource Center and Chapter 7 Pro Se Clinic, and provides pro bono representation to people needing assistance in Chapter 7 matters.
JOB SUMMARY
The Directing Attorney of CLP will:
Supervise CLP staff attorneys, legal assistants and volunteers to provide direct legal services and representation to indigent victims of consumer fraud.
Litigate a docket of (mostly state court) cases involving home equity fraud, wrongful foreclosure, financial elder abuse, auto fraud, patient dumping, and other forms of consumer fraud.
Recruit, supervise, and support a large network of pro bono attorneys to handle consumer cases referred by CLP.
Supervise a bankruptcy sub-project that offers legal advice, resources and referrals to people who have filed or are thinking of filing a bankruptcy petition; assists people who file Chapter 7 petitions pro se; and refers Chapter 7 cases to pro bono attorneys.
Engage in public policy and legislative work, with organizations such as the California Reinvestment Coalition and the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, that seeks to advance the interests of low-income consumers throughout the state.
Identify and file impact litigation cases on behalf of low-income consumers.
Coordinate with other legal service organizations and government agencies to engage in community education on consumer issues.
Work with staff members to maintain information and data necessary for funding and other reports, draft and review funding proposals, assist with identifying other funding sources and maintain and cultivate relationships with foundation and other funders.
ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar, with at least six years of solid litigation experience that includes trial experience. Familiarity with consumer law desired but not required.
How to apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to (if applying by email, please put the words “CLP Directing Attorney” in the subject line):
Elizabeth Bluestein, Vice President & General Counsel
Public Counsel
610 South Ardmore Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90005
Fax: 213/385-9089
Email: ebluestein@publiccounsel.org
No phone calls please.
Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants shall receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, political affiliation, condition of physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation, in accordance with requirements of Federal and State laws.