Attorney – Eviction Defense Center (Long Beach)

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision for employees

Long-term disability

403(b) retirement plan

Bilingual supplements

Job summary

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) invites applications for an Attorney to join its Eviction Defense Center as part of Stay Housed L.A. This role supports tenants in Los Angeles County and contributes to advocating for housing rights.

Applicants should have active California State Bar membership, knowledge of eviction processes, and a commitment to serving low-income communities, with willingness to work extended hours when caseloads require. This is a hybrid, local opportunity.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of landlord-tenant, housing law, and the eviction process preferred.
• Litigation and policy experience preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income persons.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly stressful environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with government agencies, staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, and community members.
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills.

Responsibilities

• Litigate eviction cases in various courthouses (e.g., Long Beach, Compton, Inglewood, Santa Monica).
• Interview and counsel clients affected by housing problems.
• Participate in clinics and other community outreach projects.
• Work on policy issues relating to eviction and housing.
• Represent subsidized housing clients at administrative hearings and writs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Writing

Public speaking

Teamwork

Stress management

Communication

Job description

About the Position

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 Project: Stay Housed L.A.

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. LAFLA’s Eviction Defense Center, which supports Stay Housed L.A., 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 and policy 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;
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills; and
• 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 caseload or other obligations so necessitate.

Examples of Duties

• Litigate eviction cases in various Courthouses such as Long Beach, Compton, Inglewood, and/or Santa Monica;
• Interview and counsel clients affected by housing problems;
• Participate in clinics and other community outreach projects;
• Work on policy issue relating to eviction and/or housing;
• Represent subsidized housing clients at administrative hearings and writs; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Probationary Period

A one-year probationary period will be required.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse staff and we particularly encourage applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and others whose background may contribute to more effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.

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 [e-mail].

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.
• Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.
• Please visit https://lafla.org/get-involved/careers/ for our salary scale for union, non-management staff.

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.