Housing Rights Staff Attorney (or Senior Staff Attorney)

Asian Law Caucus • San Francisco, CA

68d • $87,550 - $137,620 • Hybrid

About The Position

Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a Housing Rights Staff Attorney (or Senior Staff Attorney) for its Housing Rights Program. The role will primarily involve legal representation of California tenants and tenant groups, with a focus on the Bay Area. This position is a key part of the Housing Rights team, which uses a multi-pronged approach to housing defense and anti-displacement, integrating legal representation with systems-change work, impact litigation, narrative change, and policy advocacy. Staff will engage in community coalitions, work with tenants and grassroots advocates, and provide holistic legal services and education to low-income and immigrant tenants facing displacement. There may also be opportunities for cross-programmatic work.

Requirements

• J.D. degree.
• California bar membership required.
• At least two (2) years of experience conducting state court litigation or providing legal representation or advice (in any practice area).
• Demonstrated commitment to low-income, immigrant, and/or API/AMEMSA communities.
• Excellent skills in legal research, analysis, and written and oral advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, be strategic, and exercise good judgment among varied community stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team to manage multiple cases and projects in a timely manner, and meet deadlines under time pressure.
• Highly motivated self-starter with a willingness to learn and grow.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some weekends and evenings.

Nice To Haves

• Five (5) or more years of experience is required for a Senior Staff Attorney and highly desired.
• Previous experience in housing law, eviction defense, fair housing and/or administrative law practice.
• Previous experience in direct services, litigation, policy advocacy, and/or community lawyering.
• Previous experience working with clients who require interpretation and/or translation.
• Fluency in a non-English language, particularly Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, or Vietnamese.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal representation to tenants in unlawful detainer litigation, affirmative litigation, and administrative proceedings.
• Represent and counsel tenant groups in organizing tenants or campaigns and support tenant-led campaigns through strategic legal advocacy.
• Manage a caseload of housing rights cases, including maintaining client files, records, and notes.
• Conduct intakes and provide legal advice and counsel to tenants through clinics and legal consultations.
• Identify systemic problems through direct services work and potentially participate in resulting impact litigation and advocacy efforts.
• Develop policy analysis around housing issues impacting low-income and immigrant tenants.
• Develop and work on impact litigation cases, including multi-tenant and building-wide housing cases.
• Collaborate with Communications staff to develop client stories and execute narrative shifting strategies.
• Contribute to legal research and analysis to inform ALC's litigation and advocacy strategies.
• Build and sustain relationships with grassroots community partners supporting tenants and anti-displacement work.
• Conduct Know Your Rights trainings and other legal education for tenants and community partners.
• Participate in coalitions and provide training, technical assistance, strategy development, and accessible written materials to community organizations and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other staff in the Housing Rights Program and perform other duties as needed.

Benefits

• Generous vacation and paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents).
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Commuter benefits.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.
• Language premiums for demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English ($1,500 for oral proficiency and $1,500 for written proficiency in each language).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level