Senior Litigation Attorney

Eviction Defense Collaborative, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Union position

Job summary

Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) in San Francisco, CA, seeks a Senior Litigation Staff Attorney to lead high-quality, trauma-informed eviction defense. Exempt, full-time, and hybrid work arrangement with a flexible schedule to support clients and staff development.

The role combines complex litigation, mentorship of junior attorneys, and cross-team collaboration to advance housing justice in a fast-paced nonprofit setting. Minimum Bar and 4+ years experience required.

Qualifications

• Active membership in the California Bar is required.
• Minimum four years of litigation experience, preferably landlord-tenant.
• Strong knowledge of landlord-tenant law at federal, state, and local levels.
• Ability to lead and mentor within a legal team without formal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide full-scope representation to tenants in eviction matters.
• Prepare pleadings, discovery, and motions; advocate and negotiate with landlords.
• Represent tenants at hearings, settlements, and trials; mentor junior staff.
• Train and supervise law fellows and law clerks; collaborate across departments.
• Attend meetings, ensure data entry for evaluation, and engage with community partners.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

California Bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office

Salesforce

Case management software

Job description

Job Title: Senior Litigation Staff Attorney FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Litigation Supervisor: Dir. of Litigation and Policy

Direct Reports: None Effective: July 1, 2026

Annual Salary: $88,187.50 - $98,687.50 Bargining Unit: Yes

MISSION & VALUES

EDC Mission

Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) works to prevent homelessness before it starts by providing compassionate, high-quality legal assistance, rental assistance, and supportive services to San Francisco tenants facing eviction or housing instability. We believe that housing is a human right, and we strive to ensure that every San Franciscan has meaningful access to justice and the resources needed to remain safely housed.

EDC GREAT Values

• Gratitude– Valuing one another’s contributions and recognizing the impact of our collective work
• Responsibility– Acting with accountability, integrity, and sound stewardship of public resources
• Excellence– Delivering high-quality, accurate, and mission-driven work
• Adaptability– Responding effectively to evolving systems, policies, and community needs
• Trust– Building confidence through transparency, reliability, and respect

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Litigation Attorney plays an important role in advancing EDC’s mission by providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal services to tenants facing eviction and by serving as a leader and mentor within the litigation team. The Senior Litigation Attorney will handle complex cases and provide full-scope legal representation, while also supporting the professional growth of more junior attorneys, fellows, interns, and other staff. Working under the direction of the Supervising Litigation Attorney, this role helps foster an equitable, collaborative team culture and contributes to ensuring that EDC’s legal work is effective, client-centered, and aligned with organizational values.

This position is ideal for a skilled litigator who is passionate about housing justice, thrives in fast-paced environments, and brings a supportive, team-oriented approach to both client advocacy and staff development.

Duties and ResponsibilitiesLegal Services Duties (65%)

• Provide full scope representation to tenants in eviction matters including:

• Preparing responsive pleadings, discovery, and motions;
• Advocating for tenants and negotiating on their behalf with landlords and landlord attorneys in unlawful detainer (eviction) actions;
• Representing tenants at court hearings, settlement conferences, and trials.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within the respective department.
• Provide support for volunteer attorneys and attorneys at other legal services organizations representing tenants.
• Work with attorneys and other EDC staff to train and supervise work product of law fellows and law clerks.
• Conduct training and other outreach as needed to other non-profit and community-based agencies.

Mentorship Duties (25%)

• Co-counsel on cases staffed by more junior staff until such time as the junior staff is able to work more independently.
• Provide mentorship to law fellows, law clerks, and new staff attorneys.
• On a periodic basis, advise EDC's RTC clinic staff, including answering questions and reviewing draft pleadings.
• Work collaboratively with the Supervising Litigation Attorneys to develop training plans and mentorship to new attorneys, law fellows, law clerks, etc.

Administrative Duties (10%)

• Attend and actively contribute to weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and relevant supervision meetings.
• Ensure accurate, timely data entry to support program evaluation and outcomes tracking.
• Represent EDC at community meetings/events as required.
• Work with attorneys and other EDC staff to train and review the work of law fellows, law clerks, and more junior staff attorneys.

QUALIFICATIONS

At EDC, we work to protect housing stability and provide meaningful access to legal support for San Francisco tenants facing eviction. Candidates must share our commitment to high-quality, client-centered services and bring strong professional skills, sound judgment, and the ability to thrive in a fast-pace, collaborative environment.

Success in this role requires empathy, professionalism, cultural competency, and a solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active membership in good standing with the California Bar.
• Minimum of four (4) years of litigation experience (preferably in landlord-tenant, housing law, in the context of unlawful detainer).
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local landlord-tenant law
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and mentoring within a legal team (formal supervision not required).
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong organizational skills and sound judgment.
• Experience working directly with a diverse population of clients, including clients in crisis and from a variety of backgrounds.
• an understanding of the systemic barriers they may face.
• Ability to exercise discretion and handle sensitive information appropriately.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of subsidized housing law.
• Experience working in housing justice, legal aid, or social services settings.
• Bilingual ability in Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, Russian, or other second language.

Required Skills

• High level of professional integrity, accountability, and reliability.
• Excellent client-centered approach to service; demonstrated ability to work with clients who may be in distress or crisis.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients.
• Strong mentoring, leadership, and team-building skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong time management and project management skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with a high volume of activity.
• Possess ability to make sound, quick decisions and exercise good judgment.
• Strong listening skills and ability to convey complex information clearly.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other office software; Salesforce or other legal/case management database experience.

Union

EDC staff are represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW, UAW Local 2320, AFL‑CIO). This position is a union position and is subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Determination

EDC uses a step system for all union employees. New employees are placed on the salary scale based on relevant work experience from the past nine years. Please include all relevant experience in your application and resume so EDC can determine your appropriate salary step.

Working conditions

This role involves handling sensitive and confidential information and requires professionalism, empathy, and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. Some evening or weekend work may be required.

This is a hybrid role. Employees may be able to work from home two (2) regularly scheduled days a week after thirty (30) days of employment. Staff must remain responsive during standard business hours while working remotely.

Work from home schedules shall be established in consultation with the Employee’s supervisor and approved by Program Directors and/or Human Resources.

Physical requirements

• Prolonged sitting/standing.
• Extensive typing and data entry.
• Close visual acuity for reviewing documents, data, and reports.
• Prolonged computer use.

Equal Opportunity Statement

EDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and respectful workplace. Employment decisions are based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to protected characteristics. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is not tolerated.