Staff Attorney

About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to support veterans as they navigate the challenges of post-military life, and to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wrap-around care and informed advocacy. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.

The Legal Services Unit at Swords to Plowshares provides legal assistance and representation to the low-income and unhoused veteran population of the Bay Area. In addition, we address systemic causes of our clients’ inability to access benefits and relief through policy efforts and impact litigation. We practice federal administrative law before the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, and we prioritize serving clients who are unhoused, experiencing PTSD and other mental health conditions, and those with less than honorable discharges.

Job Title: Staff Attorney

Location: 1060 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Schedule: Monday through Friday; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Reporting Type: Hybrid – 2 in person days per week

Employment Type: Full-time and Exempt

Salary Range: $78,000 - $90,000 per year depending on experience

0-1 years: $78,000

2-3 years: $84,000

4-5 years: $90,000

Applications are required to invlsubmitted with a cover letter. If you are unable to attach it in the profile, please email it to [email protected]
Any application not including or followed by a Cover letter will not be considered.

Summary:

Swords to Plowshares invites applications for a full-time Staff Attorney to join our Legal Services Unit. The Staff Attorney will provide legal assistance to veterans, including initial interviewing, giving brief advice and counsel, and providing full-scope representation to clients before the Department of Veterans Affairs, Military Discharge Review Boards, and Boards for Correction of Military Records.

Responsibilities:

· Provide brief legal advice and case assessment as well as full-scope representation to veterans in need of legal assistance with VA benefits claims and military discharge upgrades

· Review and develop evidence, including military records, medical & mental health records, court-martial transcripts, witness statements, and/or non-governmental documents, to assist in case evaluation, preparation, and representation

· Conduct legal research and draft legal briefs

· Represent clients at hearings before the VA Regional Office, the Board of Veterans Appeals, and Department of Defense Discharge Review Boards

· Coordinate within legal team on case strategies

· Perform in-depth research and prepare written materials, such as articles and training materials, relating to veterans law

· Submit reports, attend meetings, and perform administrative tasks, as required

· Work with other program providers to integrate services within Swords to Plowshares’ continuum of care

· Perform other duties as required by Supervising Attorney, Deputy Legal Director, and Legal Director

· Employee must be able to perform all essential job requirements and responsibilities within what would be considered reasonable accommodation

Desired Qualifications:

Experience:

· Experience with or sensitivity to the needs of clients who are unhoused, trauma survivors, experience mental health symptoms, and/or live with disabilities

· Familiarity with veteran issues and public benefits advocacy is preferred

Required Education:

· Juris doctor from an ABA-accredited law school

· Active bar membership in the United States. (California bar membership is not required)

Skills

· Strong written and oral communication skills

· Excellent legal research and writing skills

· Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment

· Proficient in using technology, such as Microsoft Word and case management software

· Ability to effectively communicate in English with staff, clients, and external partners and stakeholders.

· Sound professional judgment

· Administratively self-sufficient

· Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and remain calm under pressure

· Commitment to the mission of Swords to Plowshares

· Performing some tasks outside the office, such as attendance at legal clinics, meetings, and hearings

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Employees, in positions regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week, are eligible for all benefits.

· 100% employer sponsored medical, vision, acupuncture, dental coverage and more. Swords to Plowshares covers partial dependent coverage cost. (Agency paid annual medical deductible paid via Navia HRA Card)

· Employee Assistance Program: 20 mental health counseling appointments available to all employees, regardless of Full-time status, at no cost to employees.

· 403(b) retirement plan immediate enrollment

· Generous annual paid time off : 10 days, 13 paid holidays, and 17 vacation days available the first year!

· Access to third party legal benefits, employee discount program, pet insurance, and Commuter Benefit.

· 1-hour paid lunch period, professional development reimbursements, and annual education allowance available to all employees.

*Employees who work on-call, in a temporary position, or less than 20 hours per week regularly are only eligible for our Employee Assistance Program, paid lunch hour, and San Francisco sick time. Vacation and sick time are pro-rated based upon full-time equivalent percentage.

Organizational Values Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of upholding our values and fostering a supportive culture for all staff and veteran clients. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.

We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. We understand that the veteran community encompasses a multitude of identities, and we believe that our staff and board should as well. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals—regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status—are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re here to help.