Staff Attorney Housing - Bilingual Required (Hybrid)

Description: We're a dynamic legal non-profit committed to fighting injustice and advocating for social, economic, and racial equity by providing compassionate, holistic, and impactful legal services.
Join our team, and together we can work towards a world where equity and justice are not a goal, but a given! The Housing Staff Attorney will work as a member of the housing team to serve and represent low-income and senior tenants who are facing eviction.
This full-time exempt position reports to the Supervising Attorney.
Responsibilities Maintain a caseload of housing-related matters, including, but not limited to matters involving eviction defense, federally subsidized housing, and administrative hearing representation.
Handle negotiations, settlements, trials and appeals of cases in both State and Federal Courts with primary emphasis on landlord-tenant and legal issues involving access to housing.
Engage in policy advocacy to improve access to and preservation of affordable housing opportunities for low-income residents.
Actively participate in community groups and coalitions on issues impacting service-eligible populations.
Represent clients, counsel and advise clients in legal matters.
Maintain detailed and accurate case notes and timekeeping in case management system (LegalServer).
Interview clients.
Effectively and efficiently communicate with clients.
Engage in case investigation, witness interviews, factual and legal research.
Research and write pleadings, memoranda, correspondence and other legal documents.
Engage in negotiation and settlement discussions with adverse parties and their legal representatives.
Work with community groups, conduct outreach, and provide community education presentations and materials.
Engage in policy advocacy, coordinate, and collaborate in policy campaigns with partner community-based organizations to improve systemic issues.
Work with community groups, conduct outreach, and provide community education presentations and materials.
Direct and supervise the legal work of paralegal and law students, interns, and volunteers.
Identify wrap-around legal services and work collaboratively with CLA SoCal’s various legal units.
Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.
Requirements: Juris Doctor degree and an active member in good standing of the California Bar or member to another state bar and ability to register as a legal services provider.
Familiarity with landlord tenant law - Preferred.
Litigation experience including propounding and responding to discovery, taking and defending depositions, and representing clients in trial - Preferred.
Experience representing client before administrative agencies - Preferred.
Articulate, creative, and passionate advocate with excellent written and oral communication skills, computer skills, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to spot legal issues and comfort with providing real-time counsel & advice.
Strong interpersonal skill, client communication skills and comfort working with indigent clients.
Strong technical skills; including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and document preparation software.
Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy or other ability to travel frequently in and around the service area for representation and to engage with clients and community partners.
Prior legal services advocacy experience - Preferred Bilingual proficiency - Required.
Life at CLA SoCal In addition to a collaborative team spirit and learning culture, Community Legal Aid SoCal (CLA SoCal) offers a comprehensive and competitive salary and benefits package that includes group health and life insurance with optional employee buy-in, long-term disability, and various optional benefits such as pet insurance.
We offer a flexible and hybrid work schedule.
Our staff members can work as few as 35-hour week.
Some positions may work beyond a 35-hour week, including evening and weekend events, when caseload or other obligations so necessitate.
Employees enjoy a work-life balance with 16 paid holidays a year, paid vacation, sick, and personal/well-being leave.
Employee Assistance Program, Law School Loan Reimbursement Program, flexible parental leave, and 401k with employer contribution are available.
Employees who can prove bilingual proficiency are eligible for a monetary bonus.
We constantly look for opportunities to enhance our programs, reward our teammates, and update our benefits offerings regularly.
About CLA SoCal Community Legal Aid SoCal (CLA SoCal) is a diverse non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income residents and seniors throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
We focus on removing barriers to equitable access and providing compassionate, high-quality legal aid.
CLA SoCal aims to fill all positions with people who share our values and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
We provide equal employment opportunities and strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, including people of different abilities, religions, identities, orientations, nationalities, and ethnicities.
Please note research suggests that individuals identifying as Black, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, members of the LGBTQIA community, women, and people living with disabilities may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.
We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills to thrive at CLA SoCal to apply for this role.