Senior Staff Attorney

The California Center for Movement Legal Services provides legal services in the pursuit of improving the lives of California's traditionally underserved residents, including communities of color, low-income and working families, and undocumented people, by carrying out legal work that fosters relationships with community organizers. Our Los Angeles team focuses mainly on eviction defense across LA County. We are looking for an eviction defense attorney to join our team.

TITLE: Senior Staff Attorney

SALARY: $80,000–100k or commensurate with experience

HOURS: 36 hours per week

LOCATION: Los Angeles: Hybrid in Los Angeles: Office / Court / Remote

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time Exempt

BENEFITS: Medical, dental, vision and life insurance and $500 employer contribution to a health savings account; retirement 401(k) program with 8% employer contribution

REQUIREMENTS:

• Licensed to practice law in California
• Minimum three years of litigation experience, including some eviction defense experience
• References including litigation colleagues/supervisor
• Passion for tenants’ rights advocacy

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Five years of litigation experience
• Conversational in language(s) other than English
• Experience working with or as a community organizer

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Senior Staff Attorney will lead complex tenant defense and affirmative litigation matters while serving as a strategic resource and mentor within the legal team. The Senior Staff Attorney will exercise substantial independent judgment in litigation strategy, trial advocacy, negotiations, and legal analysis, and will support organizational litigation priorities and movement advocacy efforts.

The Senior Staff Attorney will maintain a significant litigation caseload of about 45 cases per year and will provide guidance and mentorship to newer attorneys and legal staff. While this role does not typically include formal supervisory responsibility, the Senior Staff Attorney will play a key leadership role in legal strategy, training, and program development. The Senior Staff Attorney will also work closely with organizers, coalition partners, and community stakeholders to advance tenant rights through litigation, policy advocacy, and community education.

FURTHER DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Make court appearances, including hearings, settlement conferences, and jury trials;
• Draft complaints, motions, pleadings, and discovery;
• Draft demand letters on behalf of clients;
• Attend 1-2 night legal clinics a month and provide brief legal advice to clients;
• Conduct legal research;
• Draft legal memos;
• Draft legislation and advocate for legislation;
• Interview clients;
• Attend coalition meetings;
• Make media appearances; and
• Draft legal know-your-rights materials and make presentations for community members and attorneys.

TO APPLY:

Send a copy of your resume and references to losangeles@movementlegal.org. References should include a litigation colleague or supervisor. No cover letter is necessary, but the initial interview will focus on your litigation experience, professional goals, and community values. Movement Legal is committed to an inclusive, diverse, and accommodating work environment.

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance and $500 employer contribution to a health savings account; retirement 401(k) program with 8% employer contribution