Contract Tenant Rights Attorney

Contract Tenant Rights Attorney

Hours: Approximately 10 hours/week (Part-Time Contractor)

Location: Remote, with occasional in-person meetings in LA County

About Better Angels

Los Angeles is facing a critical homelessness crisis, exacerbated by economic challenges. Better Angels believes in a holistic approach to tackling this complex issue through innovative, pragmatic solutions around prevention, services, shelter, housing, and technology. Our signature prevention program, the STEP Fund, provides interest-free microloans to those at imminent risk of eviction. Our mission is to empower residents of LA to prevent homelessness before it begins.

About The STEP Fund

In 2022, nearly 70,000 individuals experienced homelessness in LA County, with 60% citing economic issues as their primary cause. The STEP Fund aims to combat this trend by offering financial support and supportive services to households at extreme risk of eviction, helping them maintain housing stability and avoid homelessness.

Job Summary

Better Angels is seeking a compassionate and knowledgeable Contract Tenant Rights Attorney to support clients facing housing instability and potential eviction. This role will provide legal guidance, tenant education, landlord negotiation support, and advocacy for vulnerable renters throughout Los Angeles County.

The attorney will work closely with the Prevention team and Client Engagement staff to help clients understand their tenant rights, resolve rental disputes, negotiate payment arrangements, and address habitability concerns. This position is ideal for an attorney passionate about housing justice, homelessness prevention, and serving low-income communities.

Ideal Candidate Profile

You are a mission-driven advocate who combines strong legal expertise with empathy and practical problem-solving skills. You are experienced in landlord-tenant law and comfortable working directly with clients experiencing financial hardship or housing instability. You excel at negotiation, communication, and creative resolution strategies that help keep people housed.

You are collaborative, responsive, and able to navigate sensitive situations with professionalism and compassion. If you are passionate about eviction prevention and advancing housing stability for vulnerable communities, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Educate clients on tenant rights, eviction protections, and housing-related legal options.
• Provide legal consultation and guidance related to landlord-tenant disputes.
• Negotiate with landlords regarding late fees, repayment arrangements, lease violations, and eviction prevention solutions.
• Advocate for landlords to accept partial payments and reasonable payment plans when appropriate.
• Assist clients experiencing unsafe or uninhabitable living conditions, including advising on habitability rights and possible remedies.
• Draft and review letters, payment agreements, and related housing documents.
• Support clients in navigating notices to pay or quit, unlawful detainers, and other housing-related legal matters.
• Collaborate with Better Angels staff to identify clients in need of legal intervention and coordinate supportive services.
• Maintain accurate documentation of client interactions and case updates.
• Provide referrals to additional legal or housing resources when needed.
• Participate in occasional team meetings and case consultations.
• Support Better Angels’ overall homelessness prevention efforts through legal advocacy and strategic guidance.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in the California State Bar and good standing required.
• Experience in landlord-tenant law, housing law, legal aid, or eviction defense preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with low-income, marginalized, or vulnerable populations.
• Strong negotiation, advocacy, and client communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a flexible caseload.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed practices and housing instability issues preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is strongly preferred.

Work Environment

This is a remote contractor position requiring approximately 10 hours per week, with occasional virtual or in-person meetings in Los Angeles County. Scheduling flexibility is available.

Compensation

Hourly contractor compensation commensurate with experience.

EEO and Reasonable Accommodation

Better Angels provides equal opportunity to all contractors and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Join Better Angels

Join us in preventing homelessness and helping Los Angeles residents remain safely housed through compassionate legal advocacy and support.

To Apply

Send your resume to lisette@betterangels.la