POSITION: STAFF ATTORNEY – Santa Monica Right to Counsel (Stay Housed LA)
LOCATION: Santa Monica Community Office
SALARY: $71,060 – 74,257.70/ 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. With more than 90 years of service, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 150 employees, including more than 70 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 Santa Monica Workgroup: LAFLA’s Santa Monica Workgroup is a community office assisting residents in the areas of housing, public benefits, and domestic violence and family advocacy. We often coordinate our advocacy with other non-profits, community-based organizations, and local government agencies to help our clients gain the best results through a holistic model of community advocacy.
The Project: Stay Housed Los Angeles 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. The team will work in collaboration with other internal and external eviction defense projects as well as a multi-organizational coalition.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Active membership in the California State Bar;
• 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;
• Ability to work effectively with government agencies, staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, and community members;
• 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.
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) and, if hired, present proof of vaccination by start date.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
• Litigate eviction cases, on behalf of Santa Monica tenants, in the Santa Monica location of the Los Angeles Superior Court;
• Interview and counsel clients affected by housing problems in Santa Monica;
• Participate in clinics and other community outreach projects for both the Santa Monica office, as well as Stay Housed LA;
• Work on policy issues relating to eviction and/or housing;
• Represent subsidized housing clients at administrative hearings and writs; and
• Other duties as assigned.
HOW TO APPLY -Please submit a cover letter and resume online to [email protected]. Include “Attorney – Santa Monica Right to Counsel (2-3)” in the subject line.
INTRODUCTORY PERIOD - A one-year introductory period will be required.
VACCINATION POLICY AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS – LAFLA requires all staff, including new hires, to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) and have received at least one COVID-19 booster shot. If hired, all employees must present proof of vaccination by their start date.
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 company 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 & 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.