Attorney (Housing) - Asian & Pacific Islander Community Outreach Project workgroup

POSITION: Attorney (Housing) - Asian & Pacific Islander Community Outreach Project workgroup

LOCATION: Ron Olson Justice Center*

SALARY: $80,000k - $89,989.12k /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.

The Project: The Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Community Outreach Project provides linguistically accessible, culturally intelligent, client-centered, and trauma-informed assistance to API clients in their preferred language, with access to all LAFLA services.

As an Attorney in LAFLA’s API Community Outreach Project, you will be practicing housing law in a role that covers the spectrum of pre-litigation intervention, coordinating with community partners for solutions, all the way to full scope court representation through the unlawful detainer process.

LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active membership in the California State Bar;
• Two (2) to five (5) years of experience and passionate about addressing the housing crisis in the greater Los Angeles area;
• Litigation experience in Superior Court preferred;
• Knowledge of California housing law, landlord-tenant law, and the eviction process preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income API immigrant communities;
• Demonstrated ability to function professionally and effectively within a highly stressful environment;
• Ability to work effectively with government agencies, staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, and community members;
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.0 hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate; and
• Bilingual in an Asian language strongly preferred.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Provide direct representation and legal services to low-income tenants, including unlawful detainer litigation in Superior Court locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area, interviewing and counseling clients affected by housing problems, filing administrative complaints, writing demand letters, engaging in pre-litigation negotiations, and exploring other defensive and intervention strategies for linguistically marginalized API tenants;
• Supervise and participate in intake conducted through API dedicated language lines and at legal clinics at various locations, including courthouses and community-based organizations;
• Organize and coordinate community education, know your rights workshops, and outreach activities regarding housing justice to API communities in the greater Los Angeles area;
• Advocate for language rights within housing-related government agencies, such as the LA Housing Department, LA Department of Building and Safety, Housing Authority of the City of LA, and LA County Development Authority, as tenants seek to file complaints and/or applications to secure housing-related services and benefits;
• Identify significant legal needs and issues facing API immigrant communities and develops plans, including litigation and policy advocacy, to address those needs and issues;
• Recruit, train, and mentor pro bono attorneys, law students, and other volunteers; 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 spwgjobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney/Housing - API” in the subject line.

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

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without

discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.

The company 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. Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.

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. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.

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.