POSITION: Senior Attorney – Housing and Communities Workgroup
LOCATION: South Los Angeles Community Office
SALARY: $125,836.55k – $133,500k / annually DOE, with excellent benefits
AVAILABILITY: Immediately
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.
Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!
The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.
The Housing and Communities Workgroup prevents unfair displacement and preserves and expands affordable housing. It also defends the rights of unhoused individuals and families and provides legal support to community-based organizations seeking to build healthy, economically vibrant communities.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Attorney.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Active membership in the California State Bar;
• At least ten years State or Local Policy Advocacy and/or litigation experience in Superior and Federal Court;
• Community Lawyering Experience;
• Demonstrated knowledge of housing law;
• Excellent written and verbal communication;
• Experience with diverse client population and a commitment to promoting anti-racism; and
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.0 hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
• Serve as lead counsel on cases that include complex advocacy and direct services, commensurate with experience Actively participate in community groups and coalitions on issues, such as systemic racism, impacting service-eligible populations;
• Develop case strategies and work plans for matters assigned;
• Provide advice and technical assistance to community-based organizations engaged in policy advocacy to support low-income communities;
• Draft pleadings, legal documents, trial memoranda, appellate briefs and community education materials;
• Investigate, develop and litigate high-impact cases at the trial and appellate level in federal and state courts; and
• Work on public policy issues impacting low income individuals and communities including issues of systemic racism.
HOW TO APPLY – Please submit a cover letter and resume online to hocojobs@lafla.org. Include “Senior Attorney – Housing and Communities” in the subject line.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD – A one-year probationary period will be required.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of 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.
The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact humanresources@lafla.org
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend.
COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEE WELLNESS – Due to the mission driven nature of the organization, LAFLA is committed to a healthy work-life balance for all staff. In addition to a hybrid work schedule and robust benefits package, LAFLA staff enjoy wellness related benefits and employee assistance programs through our offered medical plans, as well as Wellness Friday video sessions, a wellness content library, 15 LAFLA observed holidays, and generous time off benefits.
SUSTAINABLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – LAFLA has recently adopted a sustainable schedule whereby employees get several Fridays off during the year. Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA location.
