Position Summary
As California’s affordable housing crisis continues unabated, Western Center seeks to expand its housing team, providing a unique opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the rights of marginalized low-income people to push for statewide tenant protections and just land use policies. The successful candidate will engage in each aspect of Western Center’s multi-pronged advocacy strategy – leading high impact litigation, engaging in policy advocacy, and providing assistance and trainings to local legal services attorneys.
Accordingly, the ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of at least one of the following areas of anti-poverty/housing law and policy: landlord-tenant, fair housing, redevelopment, land use, displacement, federal and state housing programs, tax policies, foreclosures and low-income homeowner issues, homelessness, health and safety, building codes and enforcement, mobile homes, and the intersection of these issues with racial justice.
This position reports to the Managing Attorney.
Responsibilities
• Collaborate with housing team to identify and develop strategies to ensure that every person has a healthy, affordable and stable place to live.
• Identify, initiate, conduct and maintain a caseload of complex affirmative litigation.
• Work with Sacramento policy advocates to help draft and analyze legislation.
• Plan and facilitate regional housing policy meetings with local advocates.
• Engage in research for local legal services attorneys in areas of expertise and provide advocacy support.
• Train local legal services advocates.
• Represent WCLP in various coalitions and boards.
• Draft and disseminate reports, legal analyses, and administrative materials to our partners.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Some in-state overnight travel is required.
• Some long hours are expected, but the workday schedule is flexible and accommodating.
• Admitted to practice law in California or willingness to take next California Bar Exam.
• At least five years of experience.
• A commitment to the mission of Western Center.
• A deep understanding of and passion for housing, racial justice, and anti-poverty policy.
• Experience working with or coming from historically marginalized communities.
• Prior work at a legal services or a community-based organization is a plus.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Experience representing clients in complex affirmative lawsuits.
• Ability to think creatively, be strategic, and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships.
• Ability to develop and work in diverse coalitions in which participants may have multiple interests.
• Ability to work in a team setting and to implement team objectives independently.
• Ability to work under time pressure.
• Exemplary ethical standards.
Applications accepted until the position is filled. Please email cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and list of references to Stephanie Surabian, Director of Finance and Administration, [email protected].
To promote social justice and achieve our mission, Western Center is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace. In your cover letter, please explain how you think your personal and/or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.