Fall/Spring Semester Law Clerk (Homelessness Prevention Project - EDC)
POSITION: Fall/Spring Semester Law Clerk (Homelessness Prevention Project) - EDC
LOCATION: Ron Olson Justice Center, South Office and Other Self Help Locations
SALARY: $22.00/hour (Part-Time Position)
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. 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 170 employees, including more than 80 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 WeAreLA StayHousedLA Pro Bono Homelessness Prevention Project is a collaborative effort between the Mayor’s Fund, StayHousedLA and four non-profit legal aid law firms. The goal of this pro bono partnership is to tackle the homelessness crisis by connecting tenants facing eviction with attorneys and law students willing to dedicate their time and talents to serving tenants in need. The goal of the pro bono component of the WeAreLA SHLA funded project is to build pro bono legal capacity to help address the homeless crisis by developing a law student to attorney pipeline with funds to support law clerk stipends and fellowship opportunities among law students/law student grads, respectively.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Fall/Spring Law Clerk. The estimated time commitment is 7-12 weekly hours and will be paid at $22 an hour. The position will run from the Spring 2024 to the Fall 2024 semesters, for approximately 12 weeks. This position will focus on supporting legal clinics and workshops in collaboration with the StayHousedLA program and other homelessness prevention projects at LAFLA. Training and supervision in eviction/housing law will be provided for the Law Clerk.
NOTE: The Law Clerk position is a part of a special program created using designated educational stipend funds. There is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond the Fall 2024 semester.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Current paralegal/law students, paralegals, law grads studying for the bar exam, or law grads awaiting bar results
- Understanding of and commitment to housing and social justice;
- Knowledge of landlord-tenant law preferred;
- Experience in providing assistance to low-income or homeless individuals, including interviewing;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently; and
- Ability to work collaboratively with all LAFLA staff, clients, and community organizations.
- Bilingual language ability preferred.
- Participate in remote and/or in-person legal clinics as well as other community outreach and education projects;
- Conduct client intake;
- Interview and provide information to litigants on various legal issues, under attorney supervision;
- Research legal issues related to homelessness prevention, and prepare clinic resources and materials;
- Draft pleadings related to homelessness prevention, such as unlawful detainer answers, under attorney supervision; and
- Perform other duties as assigned.
HOW TO APPLY - Please submit a cover letter and resume online to edcjobs@lafla.org.
Include “Fall/Spring Law Clerk – Homelessness Prevention Project” in the subject line.
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 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. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.