Jr. Staff Attorney

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) is a high‑performing social enterprise dedicated to uplifting Latino and working‑class communities through affordable housing, economic development, education, multi‑media communications, and the National Chavez Center. With more than 300 employees across five states, CCF continues to expand its impact through strategic growth initiatives, including expansion into Texas and strengthening corporate governance and compliance across all entities.

The Junior Staff Attorney supports the legal needs of CCF and its subsidiaries by assisting with research, drafting, compliance, and administrative legal functions under the supervision of the Senior Staff Attorney and General Counsel.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Junior Staff Attorney provides foundational legal support to the Legal Department, including research, drafting, contract review, and assistance with litigation and compliance matters. This role supports senior legal leadership by preparing documents, conducting statutory research, assisting with corporate governance tasks, and helping coordinate outside counsel. The Junior Staff Attorney will gain exposure to complex business transactions, nonprofit regulatory requirements, and multi‑state operations.

This position is designed for an early‑career attorney seeking to develop in‑house legal experience within a mission‑driven nonprofit organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction and supervision of the Senior Staff Attorney, duties include:

• Conduct legal research on federal, state, and local laws affecting CCF operations, including employment, nonprofit, corporate, and tax‑exempt regulations.
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and organizing legal documents, including contracts, memoranda, policies, and correspondence.
• Support litigation activities by preparing research summaries, organizing discovery materials, drafting basic pleadings, and coordinating with outside counsel.
• Assist with corporate governance tasks such as maintaining corporate records, preparing board materials, and tracking compliance deadlines.
• Participate in fact‑gathering, document review, and preparation of reports for senior management.
• Support the review of company‑wide policies and procedures prior to implementation.
• Assist with Employee Relations matters by gathering documentation, preparing summaries, and supporting investigations under supervision.
• Help monitor legislative and regulatory changes relevant to CCF’s operations and prepare briefing notes for senior leadership.
• Attend required meetings, trainings, and continuing legal education sessions to maintain current knowledge of applicable laws.
• Provide general administrative and legal support to the Senior Staff Attorney and General Counsel as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not supervise staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in CA, TX, AZ, or NM (California preferred).
• 0–3 years of legal experience, including internships, clerkships, or law school clinics.
• Experience or interest in nonprofit, public interest, or in‑house legal work preferred.
• Familiarity with civil litigation, administrative processes, or corporate governance is a plus.
• Nonprofit / Tax-Exempt Law knowledge
• Litigation advocacy
• Legal Services / Public Interest

Pay Range:

95k-105k Annually