Staff Attorney (Lawyers Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project - PEHP)

NLSLA provides free assistance to more than 160,000 individuals and families a year through innovative projects that expand access to justice and address the most critical needs of people living in poverty throughout Los Angeles.  We are a community of people who see the law as a powerful tool to fight for individual rights and social change. Our work aims to unravel entrenched disparities that have resulted from longstanding injustice, systemic racism, and institutionalized inequality.  

As such, we know that a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences enhance our vision. This value is embodied within the diversity of our community offerings and among the colleagues that help enliven our culture. Cultivating an inclusive work environment that values a range of talent and ideas is a top priority for us. We enthusiastically encourage candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply.  

ABOUT THIS POSITION: 

The Attorney will be part of a dynamic holistic legal services team that focuses on removing legal barriers to housing. The team is made up of passionate advocates focused on serving the needs of people experiencing homelessness and those at imminent risk of homelessness in conjunction with a collaborative of community partners. This project serves community members across Los Angeles County, with an emphasis on the Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, and San Gabriel Valley. The attorney will have the opportunity to support community members in a variety of ways, including through housing litigation, expungements, and public benefits advocacy with various agencies. 

In this role, you would report to the Associate Supervising Attorney and a career path may result in future opportunities as a Senior Attorney. This position is exempt. 

THIS POSITION MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU IF:  

• YOU THRIVE IN A FAST-PACED ENVIRONMENT and excel at moving through tasks and problem solving independently. 

• YOU DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF and can maintain a positive attitude and goal-oriented focus in an ever-changing and sometimes ambiguous environment.  

• YOU KNOW THAT INTEGRITY MATTERS and exhibit a strong adherence to ethical standards including, but not limited to, the ability to maintain confidentiality and fiduciary responsibility. 

• YOU COMMUNICATE WITH EMPATHY, conveying complex legal concepts with empathy and clarity to clients who may have limited legal knowledge or language barriers. 

• YOU ARE DEPENDABLE and thoroughly handle your responsibilities with a high level of precision and a noticeable commitment to productivity and meeting deadlines. 

• YOU ARE A GOOD COMMUNICATOR that knows when to ask for help, how to contribute to the team, and how to receive feedback and apply it to your work performance. 

• YOU HAVE STRONG INSTINCTS and can comfortably manage conflicting priorities with flexibility and a positive attitude. 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO DO IN THIS ROLE: 

• Provide holistic and comprehensive legal services in a broad range of legal practice areas that reflect the varied needs of our community members, including housing, re-entry, consumer, and public benefits. 

• Representation of families and individuals that are at imminent risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness, with a focus on housing litigation. 

• Creating and conducting training for community partners and community members, Know Your Rights workshops, and staffing community outreach events. 

• Responsibility for maintaining relationships with community partners by attending regular case management meetings. 

• Travel to other NLSLA branch offices, courts, government agencies, shelters and community-based organizations throughout the Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, and San Gabriel Valley expected once remote operations are lifted.