Senior Attorney – Housing and Communities Workgroup

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Long-term care insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Bilingual supplements

Law student loan reimbursement

Cell phone stipend

Job summary

LAFLA is seeking a Senior Attorney to lead housing and community advocacy within the Housing and Communities Workgroup. You will handle complex cases, engage with coalitions addressing systemic racism, and support policy advocacy for low‑income populations in the Greater Los Angeles area.

The role requires strong California Bar standing, 10+ years of experience, and a deep commitment to equity. A one-year probationary period applies; hybrid schedule from a local LA location with robust benefits

Qualifications

• Active California State Bar membership required.
• At least ten years of state/local policy advocacy and/or litigation in Superior and Federal Court.
• Community lawyering experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of housing law.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with diverse client populations and anti-racism commitment.
• Willingness to work beyond standard hours, including evenings/weekends when needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead counsel on complex advocacy and direct services cases.
• Develop case strategies and work plans for assigned matters.
• Provide policy advocacy support to community organizations serving low-income communities.
• Draft pleadings, legal documents, memoranda, appellate briefs, and education materials.
• Investigate and litigate high-impact cases at trial and appellate levels in federal/state courts.
• Work on public policy issues impacting low-income communities and systemic racism.

Skills

Active California State Bar

10+ years advocacy/litigation

Community Lawyering

Housing law knowledge

Written/verbal communication

Diverse client experience

Willingness to extended hours

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.

Housing and Communities Workgroup

Consists of community advocates who prevent unfair displacement, protects and expands affordable housing, works towards more equitable tenant policies in coalition with tenant organizers and provides legal support to community-based organizations seeking to build healthy, economically vibrant communities.

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Attorney.

Qualifications

• Active membership in the California State Bar;
• At least ten years State or Local Policy Advocacy and/or litigation experience in Superior and Federal Court;
• Community Lawyering Experience;
• Demonstrated knowledge of housing law;
• Excellent written and verbal communication;
• Experience with diverse client population and a commitment to promoting anti-racism; and
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.5 hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 37 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate.

Examples of Duties

• Serve as lead counsel on cases that include complex advocacy and direct services, commensurate with experience Actively participate in community groups and coalitions on issues, such as systemic racism, impacting service-eligible populations;
• Develop case strategies and work plans for matters assigned;
• Provide advice and technical assistance to community-based organizations engaged in policy advocacy to support low-income communities;
• Draft pleadings, legal documents, trial memoranda, appellate briefs and community education materials;
• Investigate, develop and litigate high-impact cases at the trial and appellate level in federal and state courts; and
• Work on public policy issues impacting low income individuals and communities including issues of systemic racism.

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 [e-mail]

Benefits & 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.