California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) is hiring a full-time Estate Planning & Elder Rights Attorney to operate out of its Berkeley, California office, the organization announced on Monday, October 19, 2026. The staff attorney role carries a starting base salary of $88,000, determined by experience, and requires active standing with the State Bar of California or eligibility to sit for the upcoming bar exam.
Operating Capital and Legal Infrastructure at CANHR
- Compensation Structure: Positions start at an annual salary of $88,000 upwards depending on experience, backed by a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, life insurance, and paid vacation.
- Employment Classification: The role is non-exempt during the introductory period, with a structured pathway to convert to exempt status upon successful completion.
- Application Protocol: Candidates must submit a resume, cover letter, and two professional references to [email protected] and [email protected] using the exact subject line “Estate Planning & Elder Rights Attorney.”
Operating as a statewide nonprofit 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 1983, CANHR focuses on improving long-term care choices, care standards, and the quality of life for California consumers. The newly posted position sits within a specialized team providing technical assistance, advocacy support, and continuing education to Qualified Legal Services Programs (QLSPs) across the state. In addition to mentoring co-workers, legal fellows, and interns, the incoming attorney will manage consumer hotline inquiries covering Medi-Cal, Home and Community-Based Services, long-term care facility resident rights, capacity issues, and estate planning mechanics.
The institutional mandate extends beyond direct consumer advice into systematic policy formulation and legal defense. The staff attorney will actively draft consumer protection and home preservation-focused legislative proposals, build working relationships with legislative staff and government agencies, and participate in impact litigation addressing systemic injustices. Qualified applicants are required to possess a J.D. from an accredited law school alongside a minimum of eight years of professional legal experience, prioritizing backgrounds in trust and estates, public interest impact litigation, or legislative advocacy.
| Operational Metric | Role Requirement |
|---|---|
| Base Salary Minimum | $88,000+ (Dependent on Experience) |
| Minimum Experience | 8 Years in Trusts, Estates, or Public Interest Litigation |
| Work Location | Hybrid Remote and In-Person in Berkeley, CA |
| Institutional Status | Statewide 501(c)(3) Nonprofit (Founded 1983) |
Candidates must demonstrate working fluency in California court procedures, administrative hearings, and database management systems such as Salesforce to satisfy grant contract requirements. The hybrid position requires periodic travel, including attendance at the annual CANHR Elder Law Conference. As part of its equal opportunity commitment, CANHR explicitly encourages applications from persons of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and candidates from other underrepresented groups.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
