Who We Are

NLC attorneys are recruited directly from law schools and are required to have passed the California State Bar. They demonstrate a strong commitment to public interest law and have histories of community service work. They are offered a two-year fellowship with a salary commensurate to a first-year teacher's in Oakland's public schools (currently $40,000 plus benefits).

How We Work

• We canvas neighborhoods and conduct town hall meetings that support dialogue; promote information sharing; implement neighborhood prioritization and problem-solving strategies; encourage accountability and realistic expectations for measurable results; and build consensus for development of an annual work plan;
• We establish working relationships with at least 10 key neighbors and/or community organizations within the neighborhood;
• Neighbors actively participate in at least 50% of NLC cases;
• We conduct regular meetings to report and assess progress, and dispose of the cases outlined in the annual work plan;
• Finally, we hold an annual celebration to appreciate the community heroes who've invested their time and energy to make their city a better place to live.

NLC attorneys confront hazardous conditions to the health and well-being of the community by abating drug houses, slum housing, and problem alcohol outlets. In addition, we address the lack of access to government resources; we educate about legal rights, government responsibilities and potential remedies; and, finally, clear bureaucratic quagmires blocking interested citizens. The history of our success has shown us that each NLC victory inspires residents to take part in local democracy and advocate for themselves and the broader community.

NLC attorneys bring actions, develop and review evidence with neighbors and city staff, ensure proper noticing, draft court pleadings, schedule hearings, file cases, prepare witnesses, conduct negotiations, and, when necessary, try cases in court. We base community grievances upon existing laws (which are presently under-enforced), and help residents remedy problems that drive down property values and the quality of life in their neighborhoods.

Support and Guidance

Experienced city attorneys will serve as mentors to Neighborhood Law Corps attorneys, providing them with legal guidance and routine reviews of case progress. The Neighborhood Law Corps' Executive Director also will provide training and mentoring in community organizing and community relationship building.

Oakland has sizeable Latino, African American, Southeast Asian and Chinese neighborhoods. For many, English is not their first language. The NLC lawyers will use the language resources of Oakland's Equal Access Ordinance and the Legal Language Access Bank. To reach as many people as possible, NLC materials will be distributed in English, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

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