Litigation Fellow- Homelessness Prevention Law Project

Max 1 yrs required

Full-time

No

Homelessness Prevention Law Project - Litigation Fellow: Full-time, $75,000 salary, requires California Bar Exam or plan to take it.

Public Counsel is seeking a Litigation Fellow for their Homelessness Prevention Law Project (HPLP) to serve individuals who are at high risk of becoming homeless or are currently unhoused. The Fellow will work in Public Counsel's new "Special Litigation Unit" (SLU) within the HPLP, focusing on filing lawsuits against landlords to vindicate the rights of tenants to live in safe, well-cared-for, secure housing, free of harassment and discrimination.

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice. They operate eight legal projects and have a full-time staff of over 150. Public Counsel is committed to building a diverse staff and encourages applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities.

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Supervising Staff Attorney and Directing Attorney, the Litigation Fellow is a full-time position based primarily at Public Counsel's main office in Los Angeles. The position may involve some off-site clinic work in South Los Angeles communities and other parts of Los Angeles County. The Fellow will work in collaboration with the Supervising Staff Attorney and other members of the SLU.

Responsibilities:
• Participate in discussions with internal and external partners about program design and priorities
• Serve as co-counsel on a small individual caseload of cases
• Participate in the full breadth of civil litigation activities, including drafting and filing complaints, carrying out discovery, filing and responding to motions, taking depositions, preparing cases for trial, and serving as trial counsel
• Assist with preparation of quarterly grant reports
• Participate in external meetings with legal services and community-based organizations
• Attend virtual and in-person court hearings
• Act as a resource for other Public Counsel staff and community partners
• Administrative work related to litigation, including document management and consistent keeping of case notes
• Participate in off-site clinic events
• Consult on litigation engagements by Public Counsel and pro bono partners
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:
• Awaiting results from the February 2023 California Bar Exam, or registered for the July 2023 California State Bar Exam
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income people
• Knowledge of landlord-tenant, housing law, and the eviction process preferred, but not required
• Superior legal research skills
• Excellent writing, organizational, and public speaking skills
• Desire to learn and share knowledge with other team members
• Ability to work well as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision
• Comfort with trauma-informed legal advocacy
• Excellent attention to detail, time management, and communication skills
• Ability to commute throughout Los Angeles County if needed

Job Type and Benefits:
• Full-time, exempt position
• Position is created with designated funds and contingent on ongoing funding for the program
• Salary range: $75,000 for a recent grad or someone with 0-1 year experience
• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Account, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance and disability plans, generous paid time off, and on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement

How to Apply:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to the email address provided on the Public Counsel website. Public Counsel values lived experiences and experiences working with clients across a range of settings, and encourages applicants to discuss such experiences in their cover letter.

Public Counsel Vaccination Policy and COVID-19 Protocols:
Public Counsel requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees, including new hires. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. All employees are required to work in the office at least one day per week, at the discretion of the head of department. Public Counsel will work in a manner consistent with public health and local and state emergency orders.

Public Counsel EEO Policy:
Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or prospective employees on the basis of union membership or activity, race, religious creed, religious observance, ethnicity, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or predisposition, military service, military and veteran status, pregnancy, child birth and related medical conditions, marital and family status, national origin, ancestry, age, medical conditions as defined by state or federal law, or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. All qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring. The leadership team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, discipline, discharge, and general treatment during employment.

In summary, Public Counsel is seeking a Litigation Fellow for their Homelessness Prevention Law Project, a full-time position with a salary of $75,000. The Fellow will work in collaboration with the Supervising Staff Attorney and other members of the SLU, focusing on filing lawsuits against landlords to protect the rights of tenants. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume, and Public Counsel values diverse experiences and backgrounds. Public Counsel requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees and is committed to equal opportunity employment.

Not specified.

Medical, dental, and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Account, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, disability plans, paid time off, compensatory time, on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement.

Not specified.

Legal research, writing, organizational, public speaking, communication, time management, trauma-informed legal advocacy, empathy, active listening, judgment, care and concern, case management, trial preparation, jury and bench trials, community outreach, grant reporting.

Not specified.

Submit a cover letter and resume, and consider discussing lived experiences and experiences working with clients in your cover letter.

Qualification and Experience Awaiting results from February 2023 California Bar Exam or registered for July 2023 California State Bar Exam.

Legal