Staff Attorney
Join the Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) and become part of an energetic team of advocates that provides a wide-range of legal services aimed to address issues that disproportionately impact the poor. These services include litigation, providing training and technical assistance, and community education.
NLSLA is seeking a Staff Attorney for its Pacoima or El Monte office. The ideal candidate will be a skillful attorney who can excel in a fast-paced, dynamic anti-poverty law practice and is capable of fiercely advocating on behalf of NLSLA clients in multiple forums. The candidate must have a demonstrated passion and commitment to public interest law and prior experience serving low-income individuals and client groups, with a sensitivity to those in crisis. The ideal candidate must possess strong research and organizational skills; the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing; and well-developed analytical skills. Of critical importance is that the candidate be self-motivated with the ability to work independently. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or Mandarin is required.
Starting salary $54,165 - Salary commensurate with experience. NLSLA offers a choice of medical plans, and a choice of dental plans, life and disability insurance, 125 plan, 403(b) voluntary contribution, sick, vacation and 13 employer - paid holidays and bilingual differential.
Duties and Responsibilities:The Staff Attorney is expected to focus on housing advocacy including: pursue all aspects of housing and/or consumer-related civil litigation, medical legal community partnership (MLCP) and administrative hearing representation; participate in high-impact projects involving systemic or policy issues affecting low-income individuals and families; maintain expertise on a range of housing and consumer issues affecting low-income individuals; provide outreach and education to tenant and community groups; and assist with some training and supervision of housing/consumer hotline staff. Advocacy may include litigation and/or policy work in substantive legal areas other than housing/consumer law as needed, depending upon skills to be acquired, client needs and NLSLA program priorities.
Entry level attorney (0-5 years’ experience) who is highly motivated and passionate about public service work, with sensitivity to those in crisis. Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary and the public. Background in housing law or consumer law and experience working with low-income organizations and client groups preferred. Experience providing foreclosure prevention services preferred. Bilingual skills in a language commonly spoken in our client communities strongly preferred. California Bar membership is required.
Forward resume and cover letter to (no phone calls):
Elizabeth Brown, Director of Human Resources
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County 1102 E. Chevy Chase Drive Glendale, CA 91205
Fax: (818) 291-1790 E-mail: employment@nlsla.org
NLS is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from minorities, females, People with disabilities and veterans.