Attorney – Housing and Communities Workgroup
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. With more than 90 years of service, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 150 employees, including more than 70 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 Workgroup: The Housing and Communities Workgroup is committed to promoting justice and addressing systematic racism, LAFLA’s Housing and Communities Workgroup consists of cross-substantive areas presently including housing, civil rights and community economic development. We often coordinate our advocacy with other legal services programs, non-profits, and community-based organizations to help our clients gain the best results both through a model of integrated advocacy using direct legal services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community engagement as well transactional legal assistance to meet client needs. Each attorney is expected to maintain an appropriate caseload of various direct services, impact cases, and policy matters consistent with LSC regulations.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Attorney.
- Active membership in the California State Bar;
- Five to eight years of experience as an attorney preferred, though applications from a range of experienced attorneys, including those with judicial clerkships, will be considered;
- Litigation experience in Superior and Federal Courts;
- Demonstrated knowledge of at least one of three key substantive areas: housing, civil rights or community economic development;
- Public policy advocacy and/or community lawyering experience is considered a plus;
- Excellent written and verbal communication;
- Experience with diverse client population and a commitment to promoting anti-racism;
- Experience handling a variety of legal matters impacting poor and low income populations;
- Ability to manage multiple active cases simultaneously;
- Bilingual in Spanish a plus; and
- 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.
- Serve as lead counsel on cases that include complex advocacy and direct services, commensurate with experience;
- Develop case strategies and work plans for matters assigned;
- Draft pleadings, legal documents, trial memoranda, appellate briefs and community education materials;
- Actively participate in community groups and coalitions on issues, such as systemic racism, impacting service-eligible populations;
- Investigate, develop and litigate high-impact cases at the trial and appellate level in federal and state courts; and
- Work on public policy issues impacting low income individuals and communities including issues of systemic racism.
Please submit a cover letter and resume online to jobs@lafla.org. Include “Attorney-Housing and Communities” 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.