Equal Justice Works Law Fellow - Disaster Resilience Program (Homeowner Protection Team)

Bet Tzedek Legal Services•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

For almost 50 years, Bet Tzedek Legal Services has provided high-quality, free legal services to Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents. The Homeowner Protection team continues Bet Tzedek’s history of real estate and economic justice work. The team focuses on protecting homeowners at risk of losing ownership or equity to their homes to promote housing stability and preserve intergenerational wealth and stability in Los Angeles’s highest need communities. The team also assists homeowners in navigating ongoing disaster recovery efforts related to the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, and in building community resiliency for future disasters. Bet Tzedek seeks a passionate and resourceful legal fellow to join our team as part of the Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program, to assist in our work serving survivors of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and promoting and increasing disaster preparedness. The fellowship will be a two-year program, with the opportunity for eligible fellows to apply for open attorney positions toward the end of the fellowship. The salary extended is dependent on the candidate’s bar admittance status at the time an offer of employment is provided. The EJW Legal Fellow will work collaboratively with our Homeowner Protection team to provide legal advice, referrals, and full representation to underserved 2025 Southern California Wildfires survivors, identify areas for policy change and reform, engage in outreach and education activities (such as Know-Your-Rights presentations), and work with community partners to increase disaster preparedness and resilience. This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services’ hybrid/remote workplace designation. While the primary workplace is Bet Tzedek’s offices, at the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be permitted to work remotely or may be required to work in other locations depending on workload/business obligation.

Requirements

Law School graduate (required)
California bar admission at the time of hire or as soon as possible after hiring by taking the bar exam
Demonstrated commitment to social justice, with a desire to increase access to justice for disaster survivors and achieve results (required)
Work well as part of a team, but also self-motivated and able to work independently with appropriate level of supervision (required)
Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in performance of job duties (required)
Willingness and ability to travel independently within Los Angeles County for court appearances, client visits and other in-person duties of role (required/valid California drivers license preferred)
Demonstrated commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission to provide free legal services to those who need them most (required)

Nice To Haves

Outstanding verbal and written communication skills (strongly preferred)
Experience with one or more of the following types of law: disaster recovery, civil litigation, public benefits, foreclosure prevention, real estate homeowner fraud, debtor’s rights, elder financial abuse, insurance recovery, probate and/or consumer protection litigation (preferred)
valid California drivers license preferred

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of a manager, provide direct client services to investigate and evaluate legal matters for 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires survivors through legal screening, legal advice/brief services, full scope representation, and pro bono placements. Substantive areas include mortgage/foreclosure assistance; contractor disputes; consumer protection litigation; insurance assessment and recovery; elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, and more.
Conduct community education and outreach presentations to partners and homeowners in wildfire-affected and disaster-threatened areas to aid to aid in recovery efforts and develop long-term disaster resilience.
Work with Pro Bono Department to develop pro bono and volunteer opportunities for the program.
Utilize direct legal services work to inform policy and strategic advocacy initiatives, in order to identify areas of community need and advance longer-term change.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with partner organizations, community members, stakeholders, and the media about project work.
Contribute to Equal Justice Works’ Disaster Resilience Awareness Month, by conducting trainings and participating in sharing information and resources for disaster survivors and lawyers supporting disaster-affected communities.
Participate in all Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program training and programming.
Other tasks as assigned by Directing Attorney to meet project goals.

Benefits

A generous number of paid holidays, vacation, and sick days annually.
Personal and floating holidays.
Compensatory time for exempt employees.
Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage for employees and dependents, with office visit co-pay reimbursement for HMO enrollees.
Life/accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, long-term disability insurance, and Employee Assistance Plan.
Voluntary (employee-contributed) life/AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital confinement, and pet insurance.
Employee-contributed 403(b) plan.
Employer-contributed Pension plan.
Healthcare and childcare flexible spending accounts.
Commuter transit and/or parking benefits.