Attorney (Stay Housed LA Clinic) – Eviction Defense Center

POSITION: Attorney (Stay Housed LA Clinic) – Eviction Defense Center

LOCATION: Ron Olson Justice Center*

SALARY: $85,000 – $107,552.12/ annually DOE, with excellent benefits

AVAILABILITY: Immediately

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.

Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!

The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.

Eviction Defense Center: EDC is the largest workgroup at LAFLA with approximately 50 advocates. EDC is a high-volume litigation team that fights to preserve, defend, and protect tenancies, and advocates for a Right to Counsel for all tenants.

Stay Housed Los Angeles brings much-needed eviction defense resources to tenants in Los Angeles communities and implements two Right to Counsel ordinances and universal access for the rest of the county. LAFLA works in collaboration with other legal services organization and community-based organization that make up the Stay Housed LA Coalition.

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of SHLA Clinic Attorney.

• Assigned location is subject to change during course of employment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed attorney by the California State Bar with a minimum of one to two years of experience in legal services;
• Knowledge of landlord-tenant law and the eviction case-handling process required;
• Litigation experience required;
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income persons;
• Demonstrated ability to function professionally and effectively within a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also able to work independently and exercise resourcefulness and initiative in the execution of projects and tasks;
• Ability to work effectively and maintain positive relations with partner organizations, staff, volunteers, students, funders, and community members;
• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully and maintain positive relations with diverse populations and stakeholders;
• Enthusiasm for mentoring volunteers recruited to expand legal services provided to low-income tenants facing eviction;
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail;
• Strong writing and public speaking skills;
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.5 hour workday, including participation in evening and weekend meetings & events as required; and
• Willingness and ability to travel offsite.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Manage regular and ad hoc housing clinics, both in-person remote, workshops, or similar outreach events;
• Implement & maintain internal systems related to clinic procedures, volunteer supervision, case tracking, reporting and compliance standards;
• Interview, counsel clients and provide legal services to those affected by housing problems including setting aside default judgments against tenants or screening/applying for rental assistance for tenants;
• Assist pro bono attorneys, LAFLA staff, and volunteers at clinics and co-counsel with pro bono attorneys as necessary;
• Work closely with community based organizational partners;
• Develop, draft and update “know your rights presentations”, substantive legal guides & resources for pro per tenants;
• Ensure that housing cases are reviewed and closed per organization policies;
• Represent tenants in unlawful detainers as appropriate to maintain adequate skills/knowledge or otherwise appropriate in the clinic work;
• Prepare legal documents for tenants in pro per or that may be eventually represented by the workgroup;
• Provide mentorship and support to advocates, volunteers and community members at clinic spaces;
• Willing to answer housing questions, review advice/legal documents and provide support to advocates within the organizations as “Attorney of the Day” for the workgroup;
• Conduct eviction defense trainings or general organization presentations for law schools, law firms, and community partners/forums; and
• Other duties as assigned.

HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to edcjobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney (SHLA Clinic) - EDC” in the subject line.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD - A one-year probationary period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse staff and we particularly encourage applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and others whose background may contribute to more effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.

The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact humanresources@lafla.org.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION - LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend. Please visit https://lafla.org/get-involved/careers/ for our salary scale for union, non-management staff.

COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS - Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.

SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION - LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend. Please visit https://lafla.org/get-involved/careers/ for our salary scale for union, non-management staff.

COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS - Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.

SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.