For 50 years, Bet Tzedek Legal Services has provided high-quality, free legal services to Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents.
Bet Tzedek is seeking an experienced attorney to join our Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project (PEHP), which provides comprehensive, trauma-informed, wrap-around legal services designed to remove barriers faced by community members in Los Angeles County who are at-risk of homelessness.
This position will serve as a senior advisor to staff attorneys providing expert insight and guidance on substantive legal issues arising in client matters.
Under the supervision of the Directing Attorney, the Staff Attorney, Tenant Defense & Homelessness Prevention will support the needs of the department by training advocates, addressing staff questions and client concerns regarding legal issues presented, and serving as the policy expert and “go-to” person for all substantive housing-related issues.
The staff member will carry a limited caseload focused primarily on eviction prevention and defense work.
This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services’ hybrid/remote workplace designation.
While the primary workplace is Bet Tzedek’s offices, at the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be permitted to work remotely or may be required to work in other locations depending on workload/business obligations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Provide substantive mentorship and guidance on unlawful detainer and other housing-related cases, collaborating with staff at all levels to support assignments, deadlines, and staff and client needs.
Assist with facilitating case review and other staff convenings.
Represent clients in various forums, including administrative hearings and Los Angeles Superior Court proceedings, with a particular focus on more complex matters;
Mentor staff in representing clients in various forums, including administrative law and superior court proceedings.
Provide trainings on housing-related issues to staff and other partners, as needed.
Co-counsel with pro bono volunteers and other staff members to represent clients.
Collaborate with Development Staff to meet all relevant grant reporting requirements, including helping compile and interpret data and draft narratives.
Other duties may be assigned.
Requirements:
Active member of California State Bar in good standing (required);
Willingness to train and work with volunteer attorneys and students (required);
Spanish-language proficiency (preferred);
Minimum 6 years of experience practicing law (required);
At least 3 years of experience in landlord-tenant law, litigation, and administrative law (required);
Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in performance of job duties (required); and
Demonstrated understanding and commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission of equal justice for all and Bet Tzedek’s core values of leadership, community-based advocacy, and innovation (required.
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BENEFITS PACKAGE:
Bet Tzedek offers an excellent benefits package in addition to competitive salaries.
These benefits currently include:
A generous number of paid holidays (up to 21 per year), vacation (up to 20, depending on number of years with agency), and sick days (up to 45) annually.
Personal and floating holidays
Compensatory time for exempt employees.
18 weeks of paid parental leave (after 1 year of employment.
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Various paid leaves.
Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage for employees and dependents, with office visit co-pay reimbursement for HMO enrollees.
Life/accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, long-term disability insurance, and Employee Assistance Plan.
Voluntary (employee-contributed) life/AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital confinement, and pet insurance.
Employee-contributed 401(k) plan.
Employee-contributed 403(b) plan.
Healthcare and childcare flexible spending accounts.
Commuter transit and/or parking benefits.
HOW TO APPLY:
Email letter of interest, resume, and writing sample to bettzedek.
E3.
54C@applynow.
io, subject line “Staff Attorney, Tenant Defense & Homelessness Prevention.
” Please, no phone calls.
Any applications materials submitted without a letter of interest risk not being considered.
Note: All positions are subject to funding; ongoing funding or employment cannot be assured.
Bet Tzedek is a unionized environment.
Our salary range for unionized positions reflects our agreed upon step placement system, and the final offer extended to candidates is based on an internal equity review and candidates’ relevant experience, skills, background, and bar date, if applicable.
To best serve our communities, Bet Tzedek seeks diverse staff with cultural competency reflecting our client populations.
We strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups to apply.
Salary:
$100,743.
24 - $119,666.
12 (DOE/DOQ)