Housing Attorney or Senior Housing Attorney
CCLS seeks a full-time attorney to work with its housing team. The attorney will represent tenants facing evixtion, pursue affirmative litigation to improvie housing conditions and prevent displacement, and provide advice and education to tenants about their rights. The Central Valley faces a crisis of evictions, predatory rent increases, and housing discrimination.
RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
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Represent tenants in unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuits.
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Represent tenants in litigation and administrative proceedings to improve living conditions.
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Represent tenants in multifamily buildings and/or neighborhoods that are experiencing gentrification pressures.
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Bring strategic, impact litigation to prevent displacement and increase the supply of affordable housing.
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Train, mentor, and supervise pro bono attorneys and law students working on housing cases and at clinics.
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Participate in community outreach events and legal workshops/clinics.
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Identify and analyze systemic issues through individual and impact casework.
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Participate in weekly CCLS case review meetings, keep abreast of changes in the law, including continuing legal education, and adhere to CCLS policies and procedures.
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Other duties as assigned.
SKILLS/ABILITIES:
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Member in good standing of the State Bar of California; or, eligible to practice under the Registered Legal Services Attorney Program and California Bar admission within twelve months of hire;
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Experience working with low-income clients, collaborating effectively with diverse groups of individuals and organizations, and connecting and strategizing with local community leaders;
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Previous Legal Aid or other non-profit legal services experience desirable;
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Bilingual ability strongly preferred in English and at least one other language commonly spoken in the Central Valley.
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Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
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Comfortable working under pressure, on a team or independently, passionate about the work, inquisitive, and analytical;
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Ability to travel as needed, proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.
To Apply: Please e-mail cover letter, résumé, and three references along with a legal writing sample to:
Manuel Romero, Director of Administration
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Please tell us briefly about your experience, if any, doing advocacy work with a low-income community. What skills and qualities did you bring that were important to the effort? What did you learn?
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Please describe your leadership experience, if any.
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Tell us about your connection to the Central Valley: how well do you know it? Do you have ties here? What draws you here?
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Do you have particular interest in being a Legal Aid lawyer? If so, please tell us about that.