POSITION: Attorney - Housing and Communities Workgroup
LOCATION: South Los Angeles Community Office*
SALARY: $74,257.70k - $88,553.69k / annual DOE with excellent benefits
AVAILABILITY: Immediately
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.
Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!
The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.
The Housing and Communities Workgroup seeks to improve the lives of LAFLA’s clients in the areas of housing, civil rights and community economic development through litigation, education and non-litigation advocacy. The workgroup is dedicated to using a movement lawyering model that recognizes the importance of community-led strategies and client-centered solutions to achieving meaningful change.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney.
*Assigned location is subject to change during course of employment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Active membership in the California State Bar;
• Litigation experience in State and Federal Courts;
• Demonstrated knowledge of housing law is considered a plus;
• Public policy advocacy and/or community lawyering experience is considered a plus;
• Excellent written and verbal communication;
• Experience with diverse client population and a commitment to promoting anti-racism;
• Experience handling a variety of legal matters impacting poor and low income populations;
• Ability to manage multiple active cases simultaneously;
• Passion for working with community based organizations and coalitions; and
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.0 hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
• Serve as lead counsel on cases that include complex advocacy and direct services, commensurate with experience;
• Develop case strategies and work plans for matters assigned;
• Draft pleadings, legal documents, trial memoranda, appellate briefs and community education materials;
• Actively participate in community groups and coalitions on issues, such as systemic racism, impacting service-eligible populations;
• Investigate, develop and litigate high-impact cases at the trial and appellate level in federal and state courts; and
• Work on public policy issues impacting low income individuals and communities including issues of systemic racism.
• Contribute to the organization’s DEI plan and goals (via surveys, interviews, etc), supporting all DEI initiatives and helping to promote inclusion in a thoughtful way;
• To view LAFLA’s Commitment to DEI, please go to https://lafla.org/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion-justice-at-lafla/
HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to [email protected]. Include “Attorney - Housing and Communities” in the subject line.
INTRODUCTORY PERIOD - A one-year introductory period will be required.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.
The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact [email protected]
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION - LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.