POSITION: Stay Housed LA Pro Bono Coordinator and Clinic Attorney - Eviction Defense Center
LOCATION: Ron Olson Justice Center*
SALARY: $ 74,257.70k - $ 101,054.47k/ 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 Project: Stay Housed L.A. is a new project to bring much-needed eviction defense resources to tenants in Los Angeles County communities and may be the first step towards a “Right to Counsel” for tenant eviction defense. LAFLA’s Eviction Defense Center, which supports Stay Housed L.A., will work in collaboration with other internal and external eviction defense projects as well as a multi-organizational coalition.
LAFLA’s Eviction Defense Center (EDC): Has been providing full scope eviction defense, homelessness prevention and tenant resources to communities in Los Angeles County for 40 years. The EDC team includes over 20 attorneys, as well as paralegals and case managers, all who are dedicated to preserve, defend & protect tenants.
The Eviction Defense Center Clinic Attorney Position has been created to address the staggering need to educate, inform and empower tenants around housing and unlawful detainer laws throughout Los Angeles. Working with the EDC team, the clinic attorney will oversee our clinic/workshop events remotely and in person in our local communities. The clinic attorney will also be responsible for creating opportunities and recruiting students, pro bono attorneys, and community volunteers at these events. The clinic attorney will also co-counsel with pro bono attorneys on the direct representation of unlawful detainer cases in order to expand attorney representation in tenant unlawful detainer cases.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Clinic Attorney.
*Assigned location is subject to change during course of employment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
•Licensed by the California State Bar with a minimum of two years’ experience in legal services;
•Knowledge of landlord-tenant, housing law, and the eviction process preferred;
•Litigation experience preferred;
•Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income persons;
•Demonstrated ability to function professionally and effectively within a highly stressful environment;
•Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also able to work independently and exercise resourcefulness in preparation and execution of projects and tasks;
•Ability to work effectively with government agencies, staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, and community members;
•Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully; maintain positive relations with diverse populations and with stakeholders;
•Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail, show initiative, and manage time effectively;
•Ability to collect, analyze and summarize data for project planning and reporting;
•Additional language ability, preferred;
•Excellent writing and public speaking skills;
•Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.0 hour workday, including evening/weekend meetings & events as needed and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate;
•Willingness and ability to travel offsite.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
•Coordinate and oversee eviction defense related clinics staffed by volunteers, tenant organizers, and LAFLA staff;
•Oversee and provide substantive legal support to volunteer attorneys who take on full scope housing cases in Los Angeles County;
•Help implement internal systems related to clinic procedure, volunteer supervision, case tracking, and reporting;
•Screen, interview and provide advice to clients affected by housing problems at clinics;
•Work with staff to develop, coordinate, and support in-person and online pro bono substantive legal trainings with LAFLA staff and broader legal community;
•Conduct presentations and trainings on eviction defense at law schools, law firms and community forums;
•Help develop substantive legal guides and resources for trainings and projects; and
•Other duties as assigned.
• 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 “SHLA PB Coord/Clinic Attorney – Eviction Defense Center”
INTRODUCTORY PERIOD - A one-year introductory period will be required.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse staff and we particularly encourage applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and others whose background may contribute to more effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.
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. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend. Please visit https://lafla.org/get-involved/careers/ for our salary scale for union, non-management staff.