Directing Attorney (Housing)

We are seeking a Directing Attorney to lead our dedicated Housing Rights Team. The housing team includes the Litigation Director, two staff attorneys, the Housing Program Operations Manager, and three project coordinators who work collaboratively on all aspects of the program. Our housing team is on the front lines of the housing affordability crisis. Housing team members work to defend tenants against eviction, enforce existing tenant protections through impact litigation, and advocate for effective and equitable housing policies in partnership with impacted communities.

Responsibilities

• Planning and Management: We’re looking for a leader who can distill the community’s needs, the legal landscape, and the housing team’s ideas and feedback into a strategy that best serves our community. You’ll develop the Housing Rights Team’s strategic direction, direct the team’s legal and policy advocacy agenda, and make decisions regarding resource allocation and building team capacity and effectiveness.
• Legal Services: Our Housing Rights Team is passionate about the work we do for our clients and our community. With the support of the Litigation Director and Housing Program Operations Manager, you will oversee the work of the housing team including tenant advice clinics, eviction defense litigation, and housing rights advocacy.
• Community Partnership and Coalition Building: We believe the voices and insight of our clients and community are an important component of our work toward more equitable housing policies. You will build and maintain relationships with grassroots community partners, legal and policy groups, and other allies; leverage Legal Aid SMC’s legal and policy expertise to enhance capacity of community partners; and participate in local and state coalitions engaged in policy campaigns.
• Policy Advocacy: Legal Aid SMC is involved in several workgroups and coalitions to make housing policies more equitable. You’ll further that important work by developing, analyzing, and promoting policy change at local, regional, and state levels in an inclusive and collaborative way with Legal Aid SMC’s community and coalition partners.
• Impact Litigation: Our housing team has worked to defend the rights of low-income tenants in mobile home parks, people residing in recreational vehicles, and adults with disabilities living in uninhabitable living conditions in an SRO. You’ll work with the team to develop and pursue strategic litigation, working closely with other housing attorneys, allies, and pro bono co-counsel.
• Grant and Contract Management: We’re looking for someone who is comfortable working with funders. With the support of the Director of Operations, you will review possible sources of funding, assist with drafting of proposals and reports, and ensure compliance with terms of contracts. We have a well-established, collaborative system for pursuing funding and managing grants and contracts; you won’t be asked to do this on your own. 
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Legal Aid SMC’s Race Equity Initiative is an organization-wide strategic priority that is strongly supported by our leadership team. You will lead the implementation of the organization’s diversity, equity & inclusion goals within your team, including recruitment and professional development of diverse staff.