We are hiring for TWO levels simultaneously. Whether you are an emerging attorney with 0-3 years of experience or a seasoned practitioner with 2-5+ years, we want to hear from you. Tell us your experience level when you apply.

Established in 2019, the Central Valley Empowerment Alliance (CVEA) is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving rural farmworker communities across Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern counties. Operating from Poplar, CA, CVEA uses a community-led organizing model rooted in the belief that those most impacted are the experts. They call this approach Radical Love.

CVEA has successfully advocated for a statewide legal services program and secured grant funding to launch a brand new legal department. This is not a seat at an existing table. This is the opportunity to build the table itself.

The Senior Attorney will report directly to the Executive Director and will lead and shape the department, sitting on the leadership team. The Attorney (junior level) will report to the Director of Organizing & Programs, or the Senior Attorney once hired. Both roles will work closely alongside community organizers, state agencies, and legal coalition partners including California Rural Legal Assistance and Central California Legal Services.

Key Responsibilities

Community Outreach and Legal Clinics

• Conduct 6-12 field-based legal clinics and pop-up services annually
• Lead a minimum of 11 Know Your Rights / Workers' Rights workshops
• Co-develop outreach materials and education resources

 Legal Services and Case Management

• Provide 50-75 legal consultations and direct representation over 24 months, primarily in employment matters: wage theft, health and safety violations, retaliation, and leave protections
• Lead individual and class action cases in state and federal courts - research, strategy, drafting, and trial
• Manage administrative claims before DLSE, Cal/OSHA, and other state agencies
• Apply trauma-informed practices and maintain strict client confidentiality at all times
• Connect clients to holistic support through internal programs and external partners
• Track systemic issues and identify high-impact or organizing-potential cases
• Participate in monthly progress meetings and provide grant reporting data

 Department and Organizational Development

• Design and establish client intake systems, referral pathways, and legal processes from the ground up
• Mentor and support paralegal and non-attorney advocacy staff
• Represent CVEA in coalition meetings with legal partners and state agencies
• (Senior level) Advise the Executive Director on department growth, funding strategy, and organizational legal needs
• (Senior level) Other organizational legal duties as assigned

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Active California State Bar license, in good standing with no relevant disciplinary actions
• Must reside within 60 minutes of Tulare County, or willing to relocate
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (spoken and written)
• Strong legal research and writing skills
• Commitment to racial, economic, and immigrant justice - demonstrated through your professional or lived experience
• Comfortable with mobile, field-based legal work including some evenings and weekends to align with community schedules

Preferred Qualifications

For the Attorney (junior level)

• 0-3 years of experience in labor/employment law, workers' rights advocacy, or a related social justice practice area
• Lived experience in immigrant, low-wage, or rural communities
• Familiarity with trauma-informed legal practices and non-punitive intake structures
• Experience with any case management software (Justice Space, Salesforce, or similar)

For the Senior Attorney

• 2-5+ years of experience in labor/employment law, workers' rights, housing, immigration, or related social justice practice
• Experience supervising or mentoring staff or other attorneys
• Track record of working alongside community-based organizations and organizers, not just representing clients in isolation
• Experience across more than one social justice practice area (employment, housing, immigration, civil rights, health law)
• Proven ability to manage grant deliverables, program development, or departmental leadership

Valued for both levels

• Additional language fluency: Mixteco, Tagalog, Ilocano, Zapoteco, or Hmong
• Experience with case management software
• Ability to mentor non-attorney community advocates
• A 5-year vision for what justice-centered legal work in the Central Valley could look like

Benefits

Salary

• Attorney (junior): $85,000 - $95,000 per year
• Senior Attorney: $95,000 - $115,000 per year 

Benefits

• Medical insurance - employer covers 80% of the lowest plan; employees may upgrade and pay the difference
• Dental and vision insurance
• Basic life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Cell phone stipend
• Generous leave package
• Relocation assistance may be available depending on circumstances and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Haldren is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Haldren emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.

To learn more about the firm and about our candidate services - please visit

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Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Haldren and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Haldren or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Commitment to Diversity: Haldren and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.

Reasonable Accommodations: Both Haldren and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.

Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.

Compliance with Laws: Both Haldren and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Workplace Harassment: Both Haldren and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

E-Verify Participation: Haldren and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.

Privacy and Pay Equity:

• California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.haldren.com.
• Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.
• Both Haldren and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.

State-Specific Information:

• Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.
• Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.
• New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.

Veteran Status: Both Haldren and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

Haldren and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.

Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Haldren and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.

Local Laws: Both Haldren and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.

Note: This job posting may be for a position with Haldren or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.