Eviction Defense UD Housing Attorney

Open Door Legal; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 83,500 - 99,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Loan Repayment Assistance

100% medical/dental/vision coverage

Generous PTO

401K options

Job summary

Open Door Legal is seeking an Eviction Defense Housing Attorney in San Francisco to represent and assist low-income individuals, especially BIPOC populations. This role involves a fast-paced legal environment where you will defend clients in court and navigate housing law for marginalized communities.

The attorney will work in a hybrid role, ensuring access to civil legal aid while collaborating with community organizations. The starting compensation is competitive, ranging from $83,500 to $99,500 annually.

Qualifications

• Must have experience working with low-income clients and providing culturally-humble services.
• California housing law knowledge is essential.
• Minimum two-year commitment to the organization required.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in Unlawful Detainer proceedings.
• Own a full caseload of about 20 active cases.
• Provide legal representation and guidance to clients.

Skills

Knowledge of California housing law

Strong attention to detail

Experience with low-income clients

Technologically savvy

Education

Membership in good standing with the California State Bar

Job description

Eviction Defense Housing Attorney

Full-time, Exempt; Hybrid (three days in-person minimum)

Overview

Housing has the attention of everyone in the country and especially the SF Bay Area. A safe and healthy home is a universal human need, yet it is consistently unrealized or threatened for those experiencing poverty or those overlooked by our country’s racist systems. Open Door Legal provides holistic, trauma‑informed housing services helping people access everything they need to feel safe and secure in their homes.

We are hiring a housing attorney to strengthen Open Door Legal’s capacity to represent and assist low‑income persons, especially BIPOC populations, and individuals in jeopardy of losing their housing. The attorney will assist predominantly marginalized communities, including those living with mental illness and/or disabilities. They will work in San Francisco communities that are hit the hardest, utilizing local and national tenant protections, navigating state, local, and federal aid, and collaborating with local organizations to assist our clients.

In this position, you will defend clients in Unlawful Detainer proceedings. The work is fast‑paced and will require you to think critically and demonstrate humility and awareness in understanding the needs of our community.

Responsibilities

• Embrace and embody our mission of universal access to civil legal aid and ensure that everyone in our service area with a viable housing problem gets appropriate help, including legal representation.
• Own a full caseload as per team needs, which is currently about 20 active cases.
• Appear in San Francisco Superior Court representing clients on average once every two weeks (and up to 3 times per week) for any litigation matters, as needed.
• Conduct housing law intakes virtually and in person across multiple physical Open Door Legal locations.
• Provide clear information frequently to guests and clients about their case.
• Empower housing law litigants to know their rights, and navigate San Francisco Superior Court, San Francisco Rent Board, and other administrative law forums.
• Provide services and support to our low‑income clients with sensitivity and awareness to cultural, socio‑economic, and disability differences. Keep a high rating in the client feedback survey.
• Embrace and embody our values of teamwork, grit, caring, passionate, and dynamic.

Requirements

• Membership in good standing with the California State Bar. Applicants without active California bar membership will not be considered.
• California housing law and superior court civil procedure knowledge.
• Must genuinely enjoy working with low‑income clients and have a commitment to providing culturally‑humble and trauma‑informed services.
• Must have some experience in a fast‑paced office environment.
• Must have high comfort using technology and case management systems.
• Must have strong attention to detail.
• This is a hybrid role. Must be able to report to our physical offices for work at least 3 days and up to 4 days per week.
• Minimal to light physical effort is generally required in performing duties in an office environment. The position requires the ability to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment, sitting, standing, and lifting up to 10 pounds occasionally.
• Must be willing to make a minimum two‑year commitment to the organization.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Bonus Points

• Comfortable translating and interpreting from English to Spanish or Cantonese and vice versa legal information without assistance.
• Experience working with low‑income and vulnerable populations.
• Experience working in a high‑volume legal aid organization, public defender’s office or similar environment.
• Knowledge of other local non‑profit organizations and tools for assisting low‑income, underserved communities.
• Having lived a significant period of your life in San Francisco proper.

Starting Compensation and Benefits

Starting compensation is $83,500-$99,500 annually based on experience.

Benefits

• Loan Repayment Assistance – for staff pursuing 10‑year public interest debt forgiveness, we will pay the minimum payment on all qualifying loans.
• Medical / Dental / Vision Plan offerings at 100% coverage.
• Generous paid time off (four weeks vacation and two weeks sick/care).
• Flexible work hours.
• Generous paid parental leave.
• 401K / Retirement Account.
• Financial investment in individual professional development and internal/external mentorships, coaching, and learning opportunities (conferences, workshops, etc.).
• We are a fun and hard‑working office with best‑in‑class technology solutions for anyone who’s passionate about making a meaningful and measurable difference.

Applications received before August 19, 2025 will receive priority consideration.

Ideal starting date: As soon as possible.

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume. You may type your cover letter into the text box or combine your cover letter and resume into one PDF document for upload.

Apply here: https://open-door-legal.breezy.hr/p/2f7f9c824486

Open Door Legal is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law including the San Francisco Fair chance Ordinance.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at whitney [at] opendoorlegal [dot] org.