About Inland Counties Legal Services
What is Inland Counties Legal Services?
Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) is a nonprofit legal aid organisation in Southern California. "Since 1958, we have led the effort to advocate and provide free legal services to residents that are low-income, seniors and with disabilities in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties," it says. It began on June 9, 1958 as the Legal Aid Society of Riverside, was renamed Community Legal Services of Riverside County in the 1970s, and took the name Inland Counties Legal Services in 1977 after expanding across both counties. ICLS works through eight practice groups: Elder, Family Law, Consumer, Housing, Immigration, Systemic & Impact Litigation, Health Law, and Public Benefits & Education. Its Pro Bono Program runs volunteer-backed programs including Expungement, Small Business & Nonprofit, Guardianship, LGBTQ+ Services, HIV+ Services and Disaster Preparation & Response. In 2025 its work reached 20,704 people: it closed more than 8,000 cases, over 4,500 of them housing cases, and assisted 642 clients in accessing and maintaining health care. Clients pay nothing. Senator Sabrina Cervantes (CA-31) recognised ICLS as a 2026 California Nonprofit of the Year.
Where will I work?
ICLS has offices in Riverside (1040 Iowa Avenue) and Ontario (3500 Porsche Way), plus a mailing address in Indio, and its current postings are based in Riverside. The offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. The Director of Pro Bono Programs is advertised as a "Hybrid Position", and housing attorneys "Provide in-office 'backup' on a rotating basis". Every current posting asks for some travel, whether to court, clinics, community events or conferences.
What is the ICLS team like?
ICLS "has grown to more than 160 employees", its postings say, and its team is made up of "attorneys and other professionals, students, and volunteers." "ICLS isn't just a job, it's a community," the culture page says; the organisation works "to recognize and confront bias, both within the legal system and on our own team" and aims to "offer a supportive, balanced work life based in respect, transparency, and communication." In the housing group, "Mentorship is built-in to our daily operations and guidance is readily available," and staff attorneys can join local bar association events at ICLS's expense. ICLS runs a 10-week summer program for law students and named Latham & Watkins LLP its 2026 Pro Bono Team of the Year. The roles open in September 2026 are an Immigration Staff Attorney, a Foreclosure Prevention Fellow, a Project Coordinator, a Director of Pro Bono Programs and a Community Education Facilitator, and every posting publishes its pay, from $23–$39 an hour to $127,920–$150,800 a year.
Work-Life Balance
Every current ICLS posting says: "ICLS currently operates under a 4-day work week arrangement while maintaining full-time status. Thus, staff will work approximately 80% of hours, while getting 100% of pay." The day off isn't fixed: "Staff can arrange their work week to the extent possible, while prioritizing client/program needs and coordinating with their practice group director and colleagues." The culture page counts "a commitment to work/life balance" among ICLS's benefits, and the Foreclosure Prevention Fellow posting looks for someone who is "Hard-working but appreciates a work-life balance; has boundaries and respects others' boundaries." ICLS doesn't pretend the job is easy. "It's hard work, but it's incomparably rewarding to help push the law toward a more equitable and inclusive outcome," the culture page says, and the same posting asks for a "healthy and sustainable practice to manage stress and vicarious trauma."
Perks and Benefits
- A four-day week at full-time status: about 80% of the hours for 100% of the pay
- Freedom to arrange your own four-day week around client and team needs
- A 401(k) retirement plan
- Insurance and paid time off
- Mentorship built into daily work, with room to grow in litigation and across practice areas
- Local bar association events reimbursed by ICLS
- Pay ranges published on every job posting