Housing Attorney

About Family Violence Appellate Project

Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) is the only organization in California dedicated to appealing cases on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner, family, and gender-based abuse. We are committed to social justice and are dedicated to shaping California law to prioritize the safety of survivors and their children by representing clients in the California Courts of Appeal, submitting amicus curiae briefs in cases of statewide importance, monitoring unpublished cases daily and requesting publication of important appellate cases, and engaging in legislative and systems change advocacy efforts. We are also committed to supporting the statewide network of advocates for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and legal aid service providers, by providing trainings, technical assistance, and written informational materials, and by facilitating information exchange among statewide stakeholders supporting survivors.

Since its inception in 2018, FVAP’s Housing and Employment Justice Program has expanded FVAP’s practice area by providing its services, trainings and resources to advocates and attorneys helping survivors with housing and employment issues, representing survivors in housing appeals, and engaging in policy and legislative advocacy to increase survivors’ access to safe housing and employment. If you are interested in being part of this exciting social justice movement and resource for domestic violence survivors and advocates across California, this is the place for you! You can learn more at www.fvaplaw.org.

Position Summary

FVAP is seeking an Outreach Attorney to deepen FVAP’s connections to underserved rural and frontier communities in California, focusing on communities that have little access or connection to legal assistance. The ideal candidate will bring skills, connections and experiences enabling the candidate to serve these under resourced populations adeptly. Any candidate must be willing to pitch in wherever needed to support a small nonprofit. The immediate supervisor is the Senior Managing Attorney of the Housing and Employment Justice Program.

The attorney will spend a majority of their time providing outreach, technical assistance and trainings to agencies, advocates and case workers serving survivors throughout California. Once it is deemed safe to do so, 20% of the attorney’s time will be spent traveling throughout California to provide the outreach and trainings in person. In addition to outreach, the attorney will adapt and create written legal tools that are culturally accessible and appropriate to the targeted communities. There may also be opportunities to participate in appeals and legislative advocacy. More than half of the attorney’s time will be devoted to housing issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties include the following (other duties may be assigned):

• Provide extensive outreach and fostering connections in underserved rural and frontier communities;
• Provide trainings to community organizations, including domestic violence, victim service and legal services agencies throughout California, on the rights of domestic violence survivors in housing, restraining orders and family law matters;
• Research and draft written informational materials to provide to statewide stakeholders, including adapting those materials to the unique needs of different geographic, cultural and linguistic communities;
• Provide technical assistance to non-attorney advocates, attorneys and other service providers working with survivors, and survivors who are pro se litigants, on legal and procedural issues related to housing, restraining order and family law cases;
• Identify areas where policy advocacy is needed to support or expand the housing rights of survivors;
• Represent FVAP in the community to service providers, community partners, pro bono law firms, and others;
• Advance FVAP’s Theory of Change and commitment to cultural responsiveness; and
• Assist with administrative and fundraising tasks as needed, including grant reports; checking and responding to office mail, email, fax, and voice mail; assisting with preparation of materials for board meetings; keeping client databases current; attending fundraising events; and other office tasks.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

·        J.D. from an accredited university and licensed, active member of California Bar;

·        Experiences that will enable you to provide superb outreach, technical assistance, and training to a diverse client population and diverse communities of service providers;

·        Working knowledge of housing law and/or domestic violence law;

·        Ability to analyze and apply California and federal housing and domestic violence law;

·        Ability to produce polished written work product, including training and technical assistance materials, with little direction or intervention;

·        Excellent communication, writing, editing, and organizational skills;

·        Ability to work independently and as part of a team;

·        Ability to adapt to and work in the fast-paced environment of a small nonprofit;

·        Willingness to pitch in and help out as needed;

·        A commitment to working on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and their children.

Preferred Qualifications and Experiences:

·        An understanding of the dynamics of, and the legal, social, and personal issues raised by, domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner, family, and gender-based abuse;

·        Experience developing polished written materials that understandably convey complex legal issues to a lay audience;

·        Experience presenting trainings or speaking in front of a crowd;

·        Experience working with clients in crisis and low-income clients;

·        Experience working in community with culturally specific organizations;

·        Non-English fluency, particularly Spanish, is highly desirable;

·        Diversity of personal and professional experience; and

·        Litigation or appellate experience.

Physical and Environmental Conditions: Performance of duties and tasks uses standard office equipment, including telephone equipment and computers. Work is performed inside with exposure to heating and air-conditioning. Driving or other travel will be required, as once it is safe to do so, approximately 20% of the attorney’s time will be spent traveling throughout rural and frontier California. Currently, through June 30, 2021, all work is being performed from home unless you want to work in the Oakland, CA office following COVID-19 guidelines. Starting in July, the position can be located either in the Oakland, CA office or, if the attorney lives in a rural or frontier community we are trying to reach, from the attorney’s home.

Classification: This position is exempt, full-time, and at-will.

Compensation: Starting salary depends on relevant experience and will be commensurate with comparable nonprofit salaries in Alameda County. The starting range is expected be between $66,000-$80,038/year (the range for 0-4 years of prior relevant experience). FVAP offers a generous benefits package, including subsidized health, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match after 1 year; FSA plan for commuting, parking, health, and dependent care expenses; Employee Assistance Plan and travel assistance; 3 weeks paid time off/year, with longevity increases; 13 paid holidays/year; 40 hours paid sick leave, plus additional accrued sick leave; and paid attorney bar dues and continuing legal education.

To Apply:   The position will be open until filled. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning April 12, 2021. Candidates are encouraged to apply early in the process. The ideal start date is May 10, 2021. To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references to: 

Taylor Campion, Senior Managing Attorney

staff@fvaplaw.org

Family Violence Appellate Project, 449 15th Street, Suite 104, Oakland, CA 94612

Your cover letter should speak to: 1) why you are interested in working at FVAP; 2) how your background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our work and perform the required and any preferred qualifications, and; 3) how your background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to diversity and cultural responsiveness amongst our staff. Feel free to think broadly about your response to these questions, applying various aspects of your life and personal experiences.

To promote social justice and best serve our clients, FVAP is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and providing culturally responsive services. Individuals of all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, ages, sexes, sexual orientations, and gender identities, as well as people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence and other forms of intimate partner, family, and gender-based abuse, candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups, bilingual and bicultural candidates, and those who are the first in their family to complete college or graduate school, are encouraged to apply.

FVAP is located in Oakland, California, convenient to multiple bus lines and BART, and in Bellevue, Washington.

Thank you for your interest in FVAP!