Staff Attorney

Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center; New Orleans (LA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health insurance

Flex spending account

401(k) with employer-matched

Paid vacation and sick leave

Paid parental leave

Hybrid schedule (office two days/week)

Job summary

Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center in New Orleans seeks a Staff Attorney to investigate and litigate civil rights violations, representing clients in fair housing matters in federal and state courts and administrative proceedings.

The successful candidate will handle a diverse caseload, perform legal research and writing, develop advocacy strategies, supervise interns, and collaborate with communities to advance fair housing rights in a teamwork‑driven environment.

Qualifications

• JD from ABA-accredited law school and bar admission in Louisiana.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil rights or social justice work.
• Experience litigating in state or federal court preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with screening requests for legal assistance and develop potential matters.
• Help develop complaint-based testing/investigation strategies.
• Provide general legal advising and draft demand letters for accommodations.
• Devise litigation strategies to improve outcomes for clients and communities.
• Represent LaFHAC and clients in federal court and administrative enforcement.
• Maintain full case files and assist with grant reporting and audits.
• Supervise legal interns and volunteer attorneys in litigation activities.
• Represent and advocate for LaFHAC at meetings and events; build community networks.
• Safeguard client records and confidentiality; work as part of the team.

Skills

Civil rights advocacy

Litigation experience

Fair housing familiarity

Independent caseload management

Legal research

Legal writing

Public speaking

Advocacy strategy development

Diverse communities outreach

Time management

Client communication

Education

JD from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Staff Attorney

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) seeks a Staff Attorney to work on the investigation and litigation of civil rights violations. The Staff Attorney will represent clients and the organization in fair housing and related civil rights matters in federal, state court, and administrative proceedings.

About LaFHAC

LaFHAC is a non-profit organization that seeks to eradicate housing discrimination, an illegal and divisive force that perpetuates poverty and segregation, and limits opportunity. LaFHAC was established in 1995 and is the only full-service fair housing advocacy organization in Louisiana. LaFHAC addresses housing discrimination by 1) educating housing consumers and providers about their rights and responsibilities to proactively prevent violations of the Fair Housing Act; 2) investigating fair housing violations; 3) challenging discriminatory housing practices policies through litigation; 4) advocating for new policies that promote equitable housing; and 5) counseling homeowners facing foreclosure.

Education and Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a JD from an ABA-accredited law school and be a current member in good standing of the Louisiana Bar. We are unable to accept those who have not yet applied for the bar or are awaiting results at this time.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate has all or most of the following qualifications:

• A demonstrated commitment to civil rights or other types of social justice work is required.
• Some experience as a practicingattorneythat has litigated or assisted with litigation in state or federal court is preferred.
• Prior experience with fair housing and/or other civil rights litigation is highly desirable but not required.
• Ability to handle a diverse caseload with independence.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and speaking skills.
• Creativity and willingness to work with others to develop effective legal and other advocacy strategies for advancing civil rights.
• Ability to speak to and work with clients and communities of diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to meet tight and overlapping deadlines.
• Ability to present information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences, both legal and non-legal.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the screening of requests for legal assistance and the investigation and development of potential new matters.
• Where appropriate, assist the Coordinator of Investigations with developing complaint-based testing/investigation strategies.
• Engage in a full range of advocacy services, including but not limited to: general legal advising, drafting demand letters and requests for reasonable accommodations.
• Devise creative litigation strategies aimed at providing the greatest positive outcome for the client and larger community.
• Represent LaFHAC and clients in administrative civil rights enforcement activities and federal court proceedings.
• Maintain full and accurate case files for legal proceedings, and assist with the maintenance of records for grant reporting, audits, and other purposes as necessary.
• Supervise legal interns, cooperating attorneys, and volunteer attorneys in fair housing litigation and administrative enforcement activities.
• Represent and advocate for LaFHAC and the communities we serve at fair housing meetings, events, and before government entities.
• Develop and maintain networking relationships within the community.
• Safeguard clients’ records and confidentiality.
• Work as a team to further the mission and goals of LaFHAC and all its programs
• Other duties as assigned.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range is, and ranges from $65,000-70,000 based on experience.

• 100% employer-paid medical insurance with available dental and vision coverage
• Flex spending account
• 401(k) with employer-matched contributions
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Paid parental leave.

Please Note: LaFHAC’s staff work a hybrid schedule. Employees are required to work in the office two days per week.

LaFHAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LaFHAC values diversity and inclusion in the workplace because it enhances the work we do, reflects the communities we serve, and embodies the values we further and defend. Candidates of all backgrounds are welcome.