The Mississippi Center for Justice (“MCJ”) seeks an entry-level Housing Attorney for our Gulf Coast office in Biloxi. MCJ seeks an attorney whose substantive law concentrations/educational background/clinical experience includes exposure to the Fair
Housing Act and the Mississippi Landlord/Tenant Act.
MCJ is a nonprofit, public interest law firm committed to advancing racial and economic justice statewide. Our lawyers work with community leaders to support their social justice campaigns and to channel the energies of the legal community to combat discrimination and poverty. With offices in Jackson, Biloxi, and Indianola, we seek systemic solutions that support a fair and just criminal justice system for juveniles and adults, protect the rights of consumers, secure access to healthcare, protect voting rights for all, and make fair and affordable housing available for all Mississippians.
Position Summary:
As a full-time employee, based in Biloxi and reporting to the Director of MCJ’s Housing Law Campaign, the Housing Attorney will support i) a Fair Housing enforcement project designed to investigate and prosecute claims of housing discrimination in Southern Mississippi and ii) the eviction prevention hotline initiative by representing clients facing eviction.
Job Responsibilities
The Housing Attorney’s duties will include:
• Development of Fair Housing education materials
• Prepare and conduct community Fair Housing presentations to support Fair Housing education throughout the State of Mississippi (occasionally includes overnight travel)
• Conduct client intakes and interviews
• Advise clients with information about the MS Landlord Tenant law and other landlord tenant issues
• Negotiation with landlords/property owners
• Representation of eviction clients in Justice and County Courts
• Assist in staffing statewide eviction prevention hotline
• Interview potential clients alleging acts of housing discrimination
• Register and regularly maintain client records in case management system
• Investigate allegations of housing discrimination
• Draft and file Fair Housing Act complaints
• Represent Fair Housing Act claimants before HUD investigators
• Assist Senior Housing Attorneys, as needed, with grant reporting
• Assist Senior Housing Attorneys, as needed, with project design and grant writing
• Licensed to practice law in Mississippi
• Background in Mississippi Landlord/Tenant law and Fair Housing Act is preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Excellent organizational, networking, and relationship‐building skills
• Preference to applicants with experience working with low to moderate income communities
• Commitment to working with low to moderate income communities required
• Commitment to the mission of the Mississippi Center for Justice
Please send brief letter of interest, resume, and three (3) references, including two from former employers, to [email protected].
Please, no telephone inquiries. The position will remain open until filled. Early applications are encouraged.