(2) STAFF ATTORNEY – HOUSING UNIT – SEPTEMBER 2026

Community Legal Services, Inc. • Philadelphia, PA

121d • $65,000

About The Position

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) is seeking (2) staff attorneys in its Housing Unit. We are accepting applications from junior and more experienced attorneys with supervision and project-management skills for September 2026. The Housing Unit fights for the stability of vulnerable individuals and families by preventing homelessness through legal advocacy and promoting housing quality and affordability for low-income tenants. The Housing Unit is significantly expanding its eviction prevention services to support implementation of Philadelphia’s Right to Counsel for tenants in court proceedings, as well as legal services support for Philadelphia’s new Eviction Diversion Program. CLS is a non-profit public interest organization providing free civil legal services to low-income Philadelphia residents. As the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Philadelphia area, CLS is both locally and nationally renowned as a premier legal services provider dedicated to ensuring access to justice for all low-income individuals and communities. We provide high quality direct legal representation, engage in systemic policy advocacy with the goal of effectuating broad-based change, and conduct community education and outreach.

Requirements

• Strong team player eager to work in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment.
• Commitment to high quality, compassionate representation for clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to handle direct service cases and impact cases of a complex nature.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice.

Responsibilities

• Zealously represent private, public, and subsidized housing tenants in matters involving eviction, illegal lockouts, fair housing violations, termination or loss of subsidy, substandard housing, and discrimination.
• Handle barriers to stable housing for those with criminal records or domestic or sexual violence issues.
• Conduct all elements of litigation including client interviewing, investigation, discovery, identifying and preparing witnesses and exhibits, pleadings, briefs, and representation at hearings at trial level and appellate levels as appropriate in state and federal court.
• Represent a high volume of individual clients each week in court hearings and administrative hearings.
• Provide supervision and support to paralegals, social workers, and interns who are providing advice, brief service, and some representation.
• Engage in non-litigation focused advocacy, including policy, administrative and legislative advocacy and racial justice initiatives.
• Organize and teach community and professional education sessions on various issues including lead paint elimination, domestic violence, criminal records, federal housing policy, tenant eviction laws, and preservation of affordable housing.
• Work with the Managing Attorney to establish connections to community and government agency partners and develop impact advocacy strategies.

Benefits

• 100% employer paid medical (including gender affirming care).
• Life and short/long-term disability benefits.
• 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Generous leave package, including 13 paid holidays and five personal holidays each year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees