Position:
Attorney – Attorney (Housing) – Asian & Pacific Islander Community Outreach Project workgroup
Job Responsibilities:
The role of Attorney in the Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Community Outreach Project involves practicing housing law with a focus on providing linguistically accessible, culturally intelligent, client-centered, and trauma-informed assistance to API clients. The responsibilities include:
- Providing direct representation and legal services to low-income tenants, including unlawful detainer litigation in Superior Court locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
- Interviewing and counseling clients affected by housing problems, filing administrative complaints, writing demand letters, engaging in pre-litigation negotiations, and exploring other defensive and intervention strategies for linguistically marginalized API tenants.
- Supervising and participating in intake conducted through API dedicated language lines and at legal clinics at various locations, including courthouses and community-based organizations.
- Organizing and coordinating community education, know your rights workshops, and outreach activities regarding housing justice to API communities in the greater Los Angeles area.
- Advocating for language rights within housing-related government agencies, such as the LA Housing Department, LA Department of Building and Safety, Housing Authority of the City of LA, and LA County Development Authority, as tenants seek to file complaints and/or applications to secure housing-related services and benefits.
- Identifying significant legal needs and issues facing API immigrant communities and developing plans, including litigation and policy advocacy, to address those needs and issues.
- Recruiting, training, and mentoring pro bono attorneys, law students, and other volunteers.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience Information:
- Active membership in the California State Bar is required.
- Two (2) to five (5) years of experience, with a passion for addressing the housing crisis in the greater Los Angeles area.
- Litigation experience in Superior Court is preferred.
- Knowledge of California housing law, landlord-tenant law, and the eviction process is preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income API immigrant communities.
- Demonstrated ability to function professionally and effectively within a highly stressful environment.
- Ability to work effectively with government agencies, staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, and community members.
- Willingness to work beyond a minimum hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, with workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations necessitate.
- Bilingual in an Asian language is strongly preferred.
Salary Information:
The salary range for this position is between $80,000 and $89, annually, depending on experience, with excellent benefits.
Benefits & Compensation:
The organization offers a competitive compensation package based on comparable public interest salaries, along with a generous benefits package for full-time employees. These benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan. Eligible employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend. The organization values a diverse environment and is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff, offering a hybrid work schedule, wellness-related benefits, employee assistance programs, and generous time off benefits.
Commitment to Equal Opportunity:
The organization is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. The selection process is based solely on merit and will be without discrimination based on 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.
How to Apply:
Candidates interested in applying for this position should submit a cover letter and resume online, including "Attorney/Housing – API" in the subject line. A one-year probationary period will be required.
For more information about the organization and the salary scale for union, non-management staff, please visit the careers page on the organization's website.
