POSITION: Housing/Consumer Attorney (Disaster Legal Services) – Pro Bono Workgroup
LOCATION: TBD
SALARY: $91,936.00 - $107,552.12 / annually 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 Team: The Pro Bono Disaster Response (PBDR) team helps disaster survivors understand and advocate for their legal rights, navigate a path towards a safe and equitable recovery, and avoid displacement from their communities. We also educate communities and community partners on disaster preparedness and the role of disaster legal services. PBDR's legal services are focused on FEMA cases, tenants' rights issues, public benefits matters, and consumer rights. PBDR works within LAFLA's Pro Bono Team and leverages pro bono connections to expand and deepen our support of disaster-impacted communities.
The Position: The Housing/Consumer Attorney will work with the Disaster Legal Services team to provide direct legal services and community education to disaster survivors and other community members. In addition to handling individual client cases, the Attorney will participate in workshops, clinics, other outreach events, coalition meetings, and policy advocacy. The Attorney will work under the supervision of a LAFLA Supervising Attorney. The attorney will also coordinate and collaborate with LAFLA directors, managers, staff, volunteers, and partners to provide disaster legal services for affected clients.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Housing/Consumer Attorney.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Active membership in the California State Bar;
• Minimum three (3) to six (6) years experience in the practice of law, including broad experience in lawyering skills, including client interviewing, legal research, writing, drafting, negotiation, law and motion and discovery techniques, trial work and appellate work in both state and federal courts;
• Strong background in housing, consumer protection and/or small business/nonprofit legal assistance preferred;
• Prior experience in legal services or other public interest setting preferred;
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the proven ability to relate to diverse individuals with respect and humility on a consistent basis;
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse staff and partners, including court and judicial staff, volunteers, and community-based organizations;
• Demonstrated commitment to LAFLA’s community-driven mission and priorities;
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.5-hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when obligations so necessitate;
• Willingness to travel offsite and to other geographies for conferences and events.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
• Provide disaster legal services in a range of areas, such as landlord-tenant issues, home repair/rebuild contracts, homeowners’ insurance claims, FEMA, SBA, and public benefits;
• Interview and counsel clients affected by problems caused by recent disasters;
• Participate in clinics and other community outreach work;
• Represent clients in court proceedings and administrative hearings;
• Litigate cases in various Courthouses in Los Angeles County;
• Develop informational materials and/or training to help support disaster recovery;
• Work on policy issues affecting disaster impacted communities;
• Provide mentorship and support to pro bono attorneys working on disaster related issues;
• Other duties as assigned.
HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to [email protected]. Include “Housing/Consumer Attorney – Pro Bono” in the subject line.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD – A one year probationary 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.
COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS - Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.
SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
