Legal Aid of Sonoma County (LASC) is a non-profit organization that provides low- income clients assistance with eviction defense and housing law, elder law, protective orders, homelessness prevention, access to veteran’s benefits, and related legal remedies. LASC seeks a Housing Attorney for our HOME Tenant Protection Program (HOME). HOME provides a range of legal services help to tenants. The HOME team includes a homeless outreach attorney, a housing policy attorney, tenant housing attorneys, and bilingual legal caseworkers.
The Housing Attorney will provide legal representation to low-income tenants who face eviction or have other rental housing issues, including post-COVID moratorium issues. Legal services may include counsel and advice, preparation of pleadings, negotiations with property owners, and in court representation. HOME services include assistance with eviction defense, mobile home park issues, Section 8 issues, and habitability.
Position: Housing Attorney
Reports to: Supervising Attorney
Status: 1.00 FTE Full Time – Exempt
Salary Range: $73,000 - $100,000 annually, depending on years of active Bar experience
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Duties and Responsibilities:
Client Services
· Conduct comprehensive legal needs assessment, provide information, and brief advice.
· Draft pleadings and other legal documents.
· Negotiate settlements with landlords and property owners.
· Provide representation at unlawful detainer proceedings and at Section 8 hearings.
General Operations
· Work closely with Legal Aid staff and other affiliate organizations to coordinate activities and services.
· Assist potential clients and workshop participants with eligibility screening, and the accurate completion of intake forms and assessment forms.
· Participate in ongoing program operation and implementation, including grant reporting and compliance.
· This is not a remote position; HOME services are provided in person at our Santa Rosa offices or at designated outreach locations during normal business hours.
Skills and Experience Required:
· At least 2 years demonstrated successful experience in providing direct client legal services.
· Litigation or administrative hearing experience.
· Excellent communication skills, ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of community stakeholders, public speaking, flexibility, and teamwork required.
· Ability to relate to diverse client population, including low-income, disabled and senior clients.
· Working knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office and database programs.
· Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
· Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively with great attention to detail, including timely case management and capturing of data for reports to funders.
· Ability to maintain up-to-date case notes and statistical records on services provided in the LASC client database.
· A firm commitment to accurate and timely data collection and time reporting (on bi-weekly time sheets and in the client database) is required.
· A valid CA driver’s license and current proof of auto insurance required.
Experience Desired, but not required:
· Previous housing law experience.
· A demonstrated commitment to public interest law.
· Bilingual in Spanish.
Education Required:
· Juris Doctorate
· Member of the California Bar in good standing
Benefits: Legal Aid of Sonoma County provides a dynamic and supportive work environment, and an excellent benefit package, after the completion of an initial 90-day introductory period. Benefits include eligibility for company paid health insurance for the employee or cash-in-lieu, company paid dental insurance, eligibility for 401K participation after one year of continuous employment, and very generous paid vacation/sick/holiday leave policies. Note the benefits package is for the employee only, LASC does not provide health or dental coverage for spouses or dependents.
Note that employment at LASC is “at will” and completion of the introductory period does not create an employment contract.
Legal Aid of Sonoma County is an equal opportunity employer. LASC is a non-profit organization, any employment at LASC may be contingent on continued funding from program specific contracts and grants.