The East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) is seeking multiple Housing Attorneys/Clinical Supervisors to join its expanding Housing Practice to represent low-income tenants in unlawful detainer cases, advocate for tenants in a broad range of housing-related legal problems, and contribute to the creation of more just and humane housing policies for Alameda County tenants, as well as train and supervise law student interns. The ideal candidate is an excellent advocate with strong writing and organizational skills who has the ability to work well in a fast-paced, high-volume litigation setting, has experience providing direct legal services to low-income people, and is committed to mentoring the next generation of legal advocates.
EBCLC is a non-profit legal services organization and the community-based clinical program for Berkeley Law School, committed to increasing justice through education and advocacy and building a culturally diverse workplace, centered on equity. With over 70 staff, 150 law students, and an $8 million annual budget, EBCLC is the largest provider of free legal advocacy in Alameda County, providing multimodal, collaborative, and holistic legal services to over 5,000 clients yearly and engaging in legislative and policy advocacy at the local and state level.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Represent low-income tenants in unlawful detainer cases, subsidized housing hearings, and rent board hearings
- Supervise weekly evening Tenants’ Rights Workshops, advising and advocating for tenants regarding a broad range of housing-related legal problems, including eviction defense, code enforcement, rent control, public housing (conventional and §8), and fair housing
- Assist pro per tenants in mediation and settlement negotiations at our weekly courthouse clinic in Hayward
- Conduct outreach and provide pro per assistance to tenants at self-help and community sites
- Teach, train, and supervise law students, legal fellows, and volunteer attorneys, including substantive law and skills trainings, regular individual and group case reviews, day-to-day monitoring of individual work, mentoring, and student recruitment
- Work collaboratively with other attorneys at EBCLC to provide holistic, wrap-around services addressing the root issues of poverty
- Participate in collaborative partnerships with other community and legal services organizations providing similar services
- Complete administrative tasks, such as those related to grant management and reporting
- Participate in ongoing professional development to improve client services and student supervision
- Additional tasks as assigned by Supervisor
Salary and Benefits:
Starting salary for this exempt position is $60,000 - $90,000 based on number of years of prior legal experience, as dictated by the EBCLC salary scale.
Benefits include fully paid health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents, life and disability insurance, and generous paid leave (vacation, sick, and holidays); EBCLC also offers flexible spending accounts for qualified health, dependent care, and commute expenditures; and retirement options.
Professional development support includes membership in the relevant local, statewide and/or national associations, attendance at relevant conferences, as determined by EBCLC’s professional development policy and budget.
- J.D. required, member of the California State Bar in good standing
- Ability to manage a demanding case load; excellent time management, priority-setting and organizational skills
- Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of groups, including people of color, immigrants, non-English speakers, people with mental disabilities, law students, service providers, government employees, community partners, elected officials, and law school faculty
- Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work successfully in a high-volume, dynamic environment
- Experience with, or strong interest in, law student supervision and training
- Unlawful detainer or other relevant litigation experience preferred
- Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, and/or Mandarin a plus
Interested applicants should submit application materials by email to [email protected] (include “Housing Attorney” in the subject line). Please note we will review applications on a rolling basis and will begin scheduling interviews as early as November 27, 2018. The positions will remain open until filled. Application materials should include a cover letter, resume, short writing sample, and names/contact information for two professional references.
EBCLC is strongly committed to advancing justice through education and advocacy, and the need to transform legal services and legal education. Additionally, EBCLC is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for all staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. To achieve this goal, EBCLC works actively to improve our office climate, systems and structures, communications, and community engagement to create an inclusive and respectful workplace that acknowledges and values differences.
Please take time to review EBCLC’s mission, vision, programs, and website, and ensure that your cover letter reflects how your background, experience, and expertise have prepared you to be successful in performing the responsibilities of the position. Please also address how your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to cultural responsiveness and diversity amongst our staff.