Trial Attorney - Tenant Rights / Eviction Defense

The Los Angeles County Bar Association - LACBA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

BASTA Universal seeks trial attorneys eager to grow, be challenged, and help tenants facing eviction. Grow courtroom skills through hands-on experiences with seasoned attorneys and manage your own caseload with mentorship.

We value accountability, communication, adaptability, and teamwork. If you are willing to learn and travel across Los Angeles County, this role offers meaningful, mission-driven work in housing justice.

Qualifications

• Active California Bar membership in good standing.
• Excellent people skills and the ability to communicate with clients and colleagues.
• Patience, professionalism, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Willingness to travel throughout Los Angeles County.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Grow with a team focused on tenant advocacy and housing justice.
• Manage own caseload with mentorship and case guidance.
• Develop courtroom skills through hands-on trials, hearings, and negotiations.
• Lead or assist with tenant workshops and Know Your Rights trainings.
• Attend regular strategy meetings and support fellow attorneys.

Skills

Trial advocacy

Bilingual English/Spanish

Client communication

Education

California Bar member in good standing

Job description

Defend Tenants. Fight Displacement. Build Courtroom Skills.

Come grow with us.

BASTA Universal started as a pilot program in November 2019. Today, we are a team of 30. We are growing and not slowing down.

We are looking for trial attorneys who want to grow, be challenged, and make a real difference in people's lives. If you are someone who learns quickly, adapts to change, communicates well, takes accountability, and most importantly, has the attitude of "let's figure it out and go for it," we want to hear from you.

You do not have to come to us as a seasoned trial attorney. If you have the right attitude and are willing to learn, we are willing to train you.

WHO WE ARE

BASTA Universal is one of Los Angeles County’s largest free housing legal service providers and a member of the Stay Housed LA (SHLA) coalition. We fight housing inequality through zealous tenant advocacy across nine courthouses throughout Los Angeles County.

We believe housing is a human right. Every day, our attorneys stand beside tenants and families facing eviction, displacement, and housing insecurity.

We believe that good advocacy takes more than knowing the law. It takes accountability, communication, adaptability, teamwork, and the willingness to step into the courtroom and fight for your client.

WHAT YOU'LL GET

Hands-on courtroom experience -

Learn alongside experienced trial attorneys by shadowing them in court, discussing case strategy, and seeing firsthand what effective tenant advocacy looks like.

Your own cases -

Manage your own caseload while receiving guidance, mentorship, and support when you need it.

Real litigation experience -

Develop your skills through motion practice, hearings, court appearances, negotiations, and every stage of litigation.

Real trials -

We believe the best way to become a stronger advocate is to do the work. You will have opportunities to gain meaningful trial experience.

A team that wants you to grow -

Meet regularly with fellow attorneys to discuss cases, collaborate on strategy, troubleshoot challenges, and support one another’s professional development.

Ongoing training -

Take advantage of trainings through our SHLA contractor and other opportunities designed to strengthen your legal and courtroom skills.

A community that understands the mission -

Work alongside legal aid organizations, community partners, housing advocates, and others who are committed to protecting tenants and fighting displacement.

Work that actually matters -

We don't sell out our clients. We fight for their right to stay housed, and when staying housed is not possible, we work to help them navigate that transition with dignity.

WHAT WE VALUE

We are growing, and growth comes with change. We need people who can grow with us.

We value:

• Accountability - You own your work and follow through.
• Communication - You keep your team and clients informed.
• Adaptability - You can adjust when circumstances change.
• Flexibility - You are willing to step in and help where needed.
• Time Management - You can prioritize and manage competing demands.
• Teamwork - You understand that great advocacy is not done alone.
• Initiative - You see a problem and look for a way to solve it.
• A willingness to learn - You don't need to know everything. You need to be willing to learn.
• Courage - You are willing to stand up for your client, even when the case is difficult.

REQUIREMENTS

• Active California Bar membership in good standing
• Excellent people skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and opposing counsel
• Patience, professionalism, and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• Strong time management, multitasking, and case management skills
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Willingness to work from one of our offices in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Van Nuys, or Lancaster
• Willingness and ability to travel independently throughout Los Angeles County
• Willingness to lead or assist with tenant workshops and Know Your Rights trainings
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, high-adrenaline litigation environment
• A genuine commitment to tenant advocacy and housing justice

If any of this sounds like you, this could be your change of scenery.

THIS ISN'T JUST ANOTHER ATTORNEY JOB.

You will be challenged here.

You will probably have days when you have to figure things out on the fly. You will have difficult cases, difficult conversations, and difficult days, but you will also have the opportunity to walk into a courtroom, stand beside someone who is facing displacement, and know that you are there because you believe they deserve to be heard.

You will build skills. You will make mistakes and learn from them. You will gain confidence. You will become a better advocate.

If you're ready to learn, ready to be challenged, and ready to fight for tenants, come grow with us.

DEFEND TENANTS.

FIGHT DISPLACEMENT.

BUILD COURTROOM SKILLS.

GROW WITH BASTA UNIVERSAL!