Stay Housed LA Pro Bono Coordinator and Clinic Attorney - Eviction Defense Center

POSITION: Pro Bono Coordinator (Attorney) – Stay Housed LA/Pro Bono Workgroup

LOCATION: Ron Olson Justice Center*

SALARY: $83,200k - $105,274.54k/ Annually, DOE with excellent benefits

AVAILABILITY: Immediately

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.

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.

Stay Housed LA: LAFLA is the lead contractor of Stay Housed LA, which is implementing a Right to Counsel program for tenants facing eviction and is comprised of dozens of legal services organizations and community-based organizations.

The Pro Bono Coordinator position will be part of LAFLA’s Pro Bono Workgroup, which coordinates volunteer outreach, recruitment, and engagement, as well as the development of volunteer opportunities. The Pro Bono Coordinator will provide dedicated mentorship and training to pro bono attorneys and other volunteers participating in Stay Housed LA’s Volunteer Program. The Pro Bono Coordinator will work closely with the Pro Bono Project Manager and LAFLA’s Stay Housed LA staff to expand legal services for low-income tenants by recruiting, training, and mentoring pro bono attorneys at private law firms. The attorney will also supervise pro bono volunteers at LAFLA’s housing clinics serving tenants in our local communities. Through these clinics, the attorney will have an opportunity to educate and empower tenants regarding their rights related to housing and eviction laws. Finally, the attorney will help engage law students in eviction defense work through clinics and other opportunities designed to expand the future capacity of eviction defense legal services in L.A.

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Pro Bono Coordinator (Attorney).

NOTE – This position is part of a special program created using designated funds. There is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond 12 months from hire date.

Assigned location is subject to change during course of employment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed attorney by the California State Bar with a minimum of one to two years of experience in legal services;
• Knowledge of landlord-tenant law and the eviction case-handling process preferred;
• Litigation experience preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income persons;
• Demonstrated ability to function professionally and effectively within a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also able to work independently and exercise resourcefulness and initiative in the execution of projects and tasks;
• Ability to work effectively and maintain positive relations with partner organizations, staff, volunteers, students, funders, and community members;
• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully and maintain positive relations with diverse populations and stakeholders;
• Enthusiasm for mentoring volunteers recruited to expand legal services provided to low-income tenants facing eviction;
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail;
• Strong writing and public speaking skills;
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 0 hour workday, including participation in occasional evening and weekend meetings & events; and
• Willingness and ability to travel offsite.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Coordinate and supervise pro bono volunteers at housing clinics;
• Provide mentorship and support to pro bono attorneys working on full scope housing cases assigned by LAFLA;
• Review and identify cases for project and facilitate pro bono case placements;
• Help implement internal systems related to clinic procedure, volunteer supervision, case tracking, and reporting;
• Work with LAFLA staff and project partners to develop, coordinate, and support in-person and online pro bono substantive legal trainings;
• Conduct eviction defense presentations and trainings for law schools, law firms, and community forums;
• Help develop substantive legal guides and resources for trainings and projects; and
• Other duties as assigned.
• Contribute to the organization’s DEI plan and goals (via surveys, interviews, etc), supporting all DEI initiatives and helping to promote inclusion in a thoughtful way;
• To view LAFLA’s Commitment to DEI, please go to https://lafla.org/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion-justice-at-lafla/

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume online to edcjobs@lafla.org. Include “Pro Bono Coordinator” in the subject line.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD - A one year probationary period will be required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse staff and we particularly encourage applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and others whose background may contribute to more effective representation of low-income people and underserved communities.

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 humanresources@lafla.org.

BENEFITS AND 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. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend. Please visit https://lafla.org/get-involved/careers/ for our salary scale for union, non-management staff.

HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE - 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 office.