The Legal Aid Society of Orange County and Community Legal Services (LASOC) in Santa Ana, CA seeks a compassionate, creative, and energetic litigator to work in the Complex Litigation Unit and to oversee the Foreclosure Mitigation Unit. This is an exciting opportunity for a conscientious litigator to work in the community, to make impactful changes for clients, and to advocate for equal justice.
The staff attorney position will have two roles that include a complex litigation role and a foreclosure mitigation role. In the complex litigation role, the attorney will work on issues of homelessness, fair housing discrimination and land use discrimination. LASOC intends to hire a staff attorney, who can work collaboratively with the unit and community partners’ cases involving group representation, community outreach and affirmative litigation. The staff attorney will conduct client intake, extensive investigation, legal research and brief writing. Candidates must be available to conduct outreach in the Compton and Norwalk area and work with local community groups. In the foreclosure mitigation role, the attorney will review foreclosure mitigation cases, and oversee the housing counselor. Job responsibilities include representing LASOC at various foreclosure workshops, coordinating clinics and trainings, conducting outreach and preparing foreclosure grant reports. The position will handle both direct service and impact cases, and will report to the Director of Litigation.
Since 1958, LASOC has offered a diversified approach to the delivery of legal services. The mission of LASOC is to provide civil legal services to low-income individuals and seniors and to promote equal access to the justice system through advocacy, legal counseling, innovative self-help, in-depth legal representation, economic development, and community education.
LASOC advocates on behalf of vulnerable individuals and communities both in Orange County and the southeast area of Los Angeles County, where it is known as Community Legal Services (CLS). LASOC currently maintains offices in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Compton and Norwalk. Generally, clients are eligible for LASOC’s services if the client’s income is at or below 125% to 200% of the federal poverty threshold or if they are over age 60. Based on the 2014 estimated poverty population, approximately 601,805 persons in LASOC’s service area have incomes that fall below 125% of the poverty level.
A successful applicant must be a member of the California Bar, have at least two years of litigation and trial experience, and possess excellent legal research and writing skills. The staff attorney will have a strong commitment to securing justice for disadvantaged individuals and communities, and must be able to work in a collaborative environment. Experience in legal services, housing litigation, federal and state litigation, and working with community groups highly preferred.
To apply for this position, send a cover letter, resume, and 2 writing samples to show range of advocacy (10 pages or less per sample) (electronically in PDF or Microsoft Word format) [email protected]. Attention: Complex Litigation Unit – Staff Attorney.