Supervising Attorney, Eviction Prevention

Background

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) is seeking a Supervising Attorney to expand its tenant advocacy. The attorney must be licensed in Pennsylvania and have a strong interest in and ability to use litigation as a tool for client relief. The attorney will represent low-income tenants in eviction proceedings as part of the City of Philadelphia’s Right to Counsel Initiative, as well as provide support to Philadelphia’s Eviction Diversion program. The attorney will also supervise other attorneys in our growing eviction defense practice.

PLA provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in Philadelphia. For Philadelphia residents who are low-income, elderly, or disabled, our legal assistance is often crucial to protecting their homes, their children, their safety, and their livelihood. PLA also operates the “Eviction Diversion” Hotline, a central point of contact for Philadelphia tenants at risk of displacement from eviction.

Responsibilities

A successful candidate will have a variety of responsibilities as part of a team of attorneys and

paralegals.

The attorney will zealously represent tenants in both private and subsidized housing in matters involving eviction, illegal lockouts, fair housing violations, termination or loss of subsidy, substandard housing, and discrimination, as well as barriers to stable housing for those with criminal records or domestic or sexual violence issues. The attorney may also engage in occasional affirmative litigation arising from debt collection and consumer protection violations by landlords. Representation includes all the elements of litigation, including client interviewing, investigation, discovery, identifying and preparing witnesses and exhibits, pleadings, briefs, and representation at both the trial and appellate level as appropriate in state and federal court. As part of the City’s Right to Counsel Initiative, the attorney will represent individual clients each week in court hearings and administrative hearings.

The attorney will directly supervise at least two staff attorneys handling landlord tenant cases. The attorney will assist them with case strategy and management, as well as compliance for funders. PLA hopes to expand this team over time to include new fellows, staff attorneys, and paralegals. The attorney may also provide supervision and support to paralegals who are providing advice, brief service and mediation services as part of their work on the Eviction Diversion Hotline.

The attorney will engage in non-litigation focused advocacy such as organizing and teaching community education sessions related to housing and tenancy. Topics could include lead paint elimination, domestic violence, criminal records, federal housing policy, tenant eviction laws, and preservation of affordable housing.

The attorney will also collaborate with the Eviction Diversion (EDP) team to help strengthen Philadelphia’s Eviction Diversion Program, and to remove barriers to housing and general access to courts for low-income individuals and families.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and admission to the Pennsylvania Bar.
• Strong legal judgment and professionalism.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong litigation and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a significant and complex caseload of individual clients.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment.
• Deep commitment to racial, economic, and social justice.
• Dedication to providing high-quality, compassionate representation to underserved communities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse client population.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience representing tenants in eviction proceedings and other housing matters.
• Interest or experience in policy advocacy or other forms of systemic reform.
• Strong team orientation and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and support junior attorneys, paralegals, and law students.

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds to apply. PLA does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, PLA complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

PLA offers a generous benefit package in addition to salary: health insurance premiums paid in full for employee and family, cash incentives for health insurance opt out, vacation, personal, and sick leave, thirteen (13) paid holidays, 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution based on years of service, paid parental leave, life insurance and short and long- term disability benefits.

Spanish or other language skills preferred but not required.