Senior Attorney- Stay Housed LA Program

at  Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

Description:
NLSLA provides free assistance to more than 160,000 individuals and families a year through innovative projects that expand access to justice and address the most critical needs of people living in poverty throughout Los Angeles. We are a community of people who see the law as a powerful tool to fight for individual rights and social change. Our work aims to unravel entrenched disparities that have resulted from longstanding injustice, systemic racism, and institutionalized inequality.
As such, we know that a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences enhance our vision. This value is embodied within the diversity of our community offerings and among the colleagues that help enliven our culture. Cultivating an inclusive work environment that values a range of talent and ideas is a top priority for us. We enthusiastically encourage candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply.

ABOUT THIS POSITION:

NLSLA is currently seeking a licensed attorney to join our eviction defense team, which is tasked with addressing the housing crisis in Los Angeles through the implementation of a county-wide right to counsel program. The attorney will defend tenants against eviction in cases filed in the Stanley Mosk, Chatsworth, Van Nuys, Pasadena, Antelope Valley and West Covina courthouses. The attorney will work directly with clients and engage in all stages of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, motions, hearings, settlement, administrative hearings, and trial.
The Senior Attorney is an experienced attorney who will manage a full caseload, including the more challenging cases, and will serve as a team and community resource on eviction defense work. The Senior Attorney also mentors and assists in the development of newer or less experienced attorneys by reviewing work product, co-counseling on cases, co-facilitating community presentations, checking in regularly, and developing templates and resources. The Senior Attorney participates in the ongoing development and refinement of NLSLA’s advocacy and delivery of services, which may involve attending trainings and leadership meetings and being staffed on program committees. In short, the Senior Attorney is an effective leader in the program and in the broader community.
In this role, you would report to the Supervising Attorney and a career path may result in future opportunities as Associate Supervising Attorney or Supervising Attorney. This position is exempt.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO IN THIS ROLE:

• Provide counsel and advice on a variety of housing matters and represent tenants in administrative hearings with local housing authorities and through trial in unlawful detainer proceedings.
• Manage a varied caseload, including more complex cases.
• Operate weekly “know your rights” clinics for tenants.
• Prepare educational materials.
• Collaborate with pro bono partners.
• Work with student volunteers and pro bono volunteers.
• Provide training and mentorship to newer and less experienced attorneys
• Review and provide substantive feedback on case strategies and work products developed by attorneys, volunteers, paralegals, and law clerks in the practice area.
• Stay apprised of legal and social developments that impact the practice’s work, including judicial decisions, case successes and/or failures, new or pending legislation, and/or administrative rules.
• Represent the unit and the program in community and organizational meetings, working groups, and LSC-compliant advisory boards.
• Participate (where appropriate) in LSC-compliant administrative, policy, and legislative advocacy.
• Co-counsel cases with less experienced advocates in their unit.
• Co-facilitate community presentations with less experienced advocates in their unit, where appropriate.
• Participate in, and at times lead, short- and long-term planning for projects, the eviction defense practice area, and the program at large.
• Assist with and at times lead case reviews, meetings, and work groups
  Requirements:

For this role, the ideal candidate has

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.
• Worked in a legal aid law firm