Housing Supervising Attorney

The Housing Supervising Attorney will supervise a team of staff attorneys and paralegals located in Los Angeles County. The team provides a full range of housing legal services and primarily focuses on unlawful detainer matters. This full-time, exempt position reports to the Directing Attorney for Client Services and is based in the Compton or Norwalk office.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and train attorneys (those licensed in California and Registered Legal Aid attorneys) and paralegals who provide full scope representation to tenants in unlawful detainer matters and advise tenants on other landlord/tenant issues including federally subsidized housing issues and discrimination complaints.
• Participate in both the Stay Housed LA Legal Services Providers group and the Right to Counsel Coalition.
• Develop and implement practices and procedures for the efficient delivery of housing legal services.
• Ensure compliance with all funding requirements, deliverables, and restrictions.
• Engage in community outreach, including conducting know your rights presentations.
• Act as the subject matter expert within the area of law supervised.
• Supervise legal work of staff attorneys and paralegals within the unit in coordination with another housing co-supervisor, with flexibility to supervise staff in Orange and Southeast Los Angeles County offices.
• Co-counsel cases as part of staff development and be responsible for training staff and overseeing their professional development.
• Maintain a limited caseload and accurate case notes and timekeeping in case management system (LegalServer).
• Supervise the professional and administrative aspects of the unit.
• Responsible for setting unit priorities and implementing unit strategies to meet priorities.
• Conduct case reviews with all unit staff attorneys at least once a month.
• Facilitate and/or conduct trainings and outreach activities in support of legal advocates for the unit, CLA SoCal, and/or community partners.
• Responsible for annual evaluations and performance reviews of legal staff within the unit.
• Train, mentor, and supervise law students, pro bono attorneys, paralegals, and other volunteers.
• Participate in recruitment efforts, interviews, and other aspects of the hiring process within CLA SoCal.
• Engage in policy advocacy, coordinate, and collaborate in policy campaigns with partner community-based organizations to improve systemic issues.
• Manage grant deliverables and assist in grant reporting requirements in collaboration with CLA SoCal Grants Management staff in order to maintain and secure funding.
• Work with a multi-cultural perspective.
• Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.

• Juris Doctor and active license in good standing with the State Bar of California.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as an attorney in the related field or other areas of law relevant to unit practice.
• Expertise in unit practice area and knowledge of legal research methods.
• Housing Law experience.
• Strong background and proven interested in working with the populations we serve.
• Extensive knowledge of unlawful detainer and subsidized housing practice.
• Experience in all parts of the litigation process including drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, and representing tenants at bench and jury trials.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to supervise, motivate, mentor and manage a team.
• Proactive approach, anticipate problems, solution-focused, and able to think on their feet.
• High level of initiative and mature judgement in tackling multiple projects and tasks with limited supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Work, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Lawyaw (or other Judicial Council Form preparation program), and other software programs.
• Great organizational skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
• Empathetic and energetic attitude while working with others.
• Experience in providing Trauma-Responsive/Informed services to clients.
• Proven interest in social justice issues.
• Ability to model the organization’s values (compassion, collaboration, trust, accountability, and equity) in the performance of job duties – Required.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy or other ability to travel frequently in and around the service area for representation and to engage with clients and community partners - Required.
• Familiarity with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) rules and regulations - Preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency- Preferred.

Holistic Benefits

CLA SoCal provides employees with training, professional development and growth opportunities, competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a collaborative team spirit. Our staff members work a 35-hour week with a flexible and hybrid work schedule. Some positions may work beyond a 35-hour week, including evening and weekend meetings and events, when caseload or other obligations necessitate. We offer an outstanding benefits package with rich medical/dental/vision/life insurance, long-term disability, and additional supplemental insurance. Our employees enjoy 16 paid holidays a year, vacation, personal time, and sick leave on their first day. Furthermore, we offer a competitive Law School Loan Reimbursement program, 401k with employer contribution, and a monetary bonus for eligible employees who can prove bilingual proficiency.  

About CLA SoCal 

Community Legal Aid SoCal (CLA SoCal) is a welcoming and hopeful non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income residents and seniors throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. We provide equal employment opportunities. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, including people of different abilities, religions, identities, orientations, nationalities, and ethnicities. All individuals who are seeking a welcoming environment who celebrate and value the unique characteristics of every member of the team who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive at CLA SoCal to apply for this role.