The Heartland Center for Jobs & Freedom seeks an attorney to help spearhead our Safe Homes for All program, which handles proactive litigation (e.g., class action, mass action, and individual lawsuits) against landlords and property management companies that fail to abide by habitability laws. Two-thirds of low-income tenants live in substandard housing. We aim to change that norm.
The Heartland Center’s mission is to create opportunities for workers and tenants to learn and exercise their rights, realize their collective power, and develop the leadership skills necessary to advocate for a racially and economically just society. This is an organization that collaborates with social movements, prizes innovation and systemic change, and does what it takes to push for strong outcomes. The work atmosphere is ambitious, friendly, collaborative, and supportive.
Over the past few years, the Heartland Center has helped transform the eviction landscape in Kansas City, culminating with the passage of Right to Counsel in December 2021. The Safe Homes program expands upon that impact. Not only are tenants entitled to an eviction defense attorney, they now also have a vehicle to affirmatively enforce their rights and challenge their landlords’ unlawful conduct. Through this high-impact program, we transform housing conditions at large complexes while aiming to create a culture of compliance among all those who rent properties.
We seek a skilled attorney to help drive Safe Homes for All.
Description of the position:
• Track bad actors in the Kansas City area, known to house tenants in unsafe and unlivable housing.
• Handle the program's current class action and individual cases (handle discovery, file motions and briefs, conduct and defend depositions, etc).
• Work with Heartland's Executive Director/lead attorney to determine additional cases that will maximize program's impact.
• Share information with the press to strengthen program.
• Keep tenants updated on cases, help develop tenants' leadership skills, work with tenant organizer.
• Collaborate with outside co-counsel.
This is a full-time position. Position pays in the range of $65,000 to $75,000 depending on experience. Benefits include healthcare, retirement, paid sick days, paid vacation, and paid holidays. Salary range is negotiable for attorneys with extensive experience.
Requirements:
• Law degree with admission to the Missouri Bar or ability to obtain admission through waiver or reciprocity;
• Excellent research, analytical, and persuasive writing skills;
• Ability to manage complex litigation and a significant workload effectively;
• Strong courtroom skills;
• Litigation experience a major plus;
• Trial experience a major plus;
• Should be comfortable in a collaborative environment guided by a belief in worker and tenant democracy, housing as a human right, and the need to strive for societal change.
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample by email to [email protected] and [email protected].