Staff Attorney - Homelessness Prevention (Affirmative Litigation)

Public Counsel•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles. Public Counsel organizes its work through seven legal teams: Child, Youth & Family Advocacy, Community Development, Consumer Rights & Economic Justice, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, Education Equity, and our impact litigation team, Opportunity Under Law. Public Counsel has a staff of approximately 170. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, and people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexualities. We recognize the essential role of staff in achieving our goals, and we have set a long-term intention to provide competitive compensation, benefits, training, mentorship, and overall workplace wellness, making Public Counsel a leader among nonprofit law firms. Public Counsel’s Homelessness Prevention team serves individuals who are at high risk of becoming homeless by providing direct legal representation to tenants in litigation against their landlords. The Homelessness Prevention Affirmative Litigation team fights to vindicate the rights of tenants to live in safe, well-cared-for, secure housing, free of harassment and discrimination. The team focuses on litigation addressing a range of housing-related injustices, including habitability concerns, illegal lockouts, constructive evictions, discriminatory housing practices, and tenant harassment. In addition, our team identifies systemic barriers to stable housing and partners with community-based organizations, tenant groups, and government agencies to advocate for fair housing practices, rent control, habitability standards, and equitable access to housing subsidies and public benefits. By initiating affirmative litigation and policy advocacy at local, state, and national levels, we seek not only justice for individual tenants but lasting systemic change for our communities.

Requirements

3-7 years of relevant civil litigation experience
Juris Doctor degree and a member in good standing of the California State Bar
Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated interest in civil rights, housing rights, and/or public interest law
Excellent oral advocacy and written communications skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely
Attention to detail
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet internal and external deadlines
Ability to exercise sound judgment, take ownership of assigned work, and follow matters through to completion while appropriately identifying issues that require consultation or supervisory input
Ability to manage a professional workload through sound judgment, effective prioritization, and efficient work habits while remaining responsive to the evolving demands of litigation
Commitment to investing the time, effort, and flexibility necessary to provide exceptional client representation, meet professional obligations, and continue developing as an advocate and litigator
Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently while seeking guidance when appropriate
Collaborative, team-oriented approach with the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, clients, pro bono partners, experts, and community organizations and members
Ability to work cooperatively across Public Counsel teams, sharing information, expertise, and responsibility to advance client and organizational goals
Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, including the ability to receive, incorporate, and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback
Ability to adapt to changing priorities, remain open to new approaches, and contribute positively to an evolving litigation practice
Commitment to client-centered, trauma-informed advocacy, and developing litigation strategies and remedies that are informed by, accountable to, and responsive to directly impacted communities
Ability to travel throughout Los Angeles County

Nice To Haves

Experience litigating landlord-tenant, habitability, tenant harassment, affirmative housing, or other impact litigation matters is desirable
Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in Spanish is desirable

Responsibilities

Carry an individual caseload of affirmative housing lawsuits to vindicate the rights of tenants to live in safe, well-cared-for, secure housing, free of harassment and discrimination
Participate in the full breadth of civil litigation activities, including client interviews, site visits, factual and expert investigation, discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, evidentiary hearings, depositions, trial preparation, trial, appeals, and post-judgment advocacy
Conduct effective and efficient legal research and prepare sound written analysis on legal issues affecting tenants and vulnerable communities
Produce polished and near-final quality written work, including complaints, pleadings, motions, briefs, declarations, memoranda, and other advocacy materials
Prepare and participate in effective oral advocacy before trial and appellate courts and administrative agencies
Manage litigation involving multiple plaintiffs and coordinate with pro bono partners
Draft memoranda assessing litigation opportunities and recommending legal strategy
Participate in discussions with internal and external partners regarding program design and priorities, including the United to House LA (ULA) Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance (TAHO) initiative
Organize and staff quarterly TAHO legal clinics at Public Counsel and community locations
Provide technical assistance to representatives of the Los Angeles Housing Department regarding enforcement of the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance
Develop, build, and sustain collaborative relationships with clients, affected communities, community-based organizations, tenant groups, government agencies, advocates, and pro bono partners to support affirmative litigation
Perform case management responsibilities, including maintaining digital case files, document management, case notes, timekeeping, and calendar entries
Assist with preparation of grant reports regarding case statistics and outcomes
Supervise law clerks, interns, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys, as appropriate
Monitor legal developments affecting tenants and low-income communities vulnerable to housing injustice, and identify opportunities for litigation that support systemic reform and client-centered advocacy goals
Work on existing affirmative litigation and identify, evaluate, and develop new litigation opportunities in collaboration with the Managing Attorney, Director of Litigation, Public Counsel staff, community partners, and pro bono partners
Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

Medical coverage with an option for 100% employer-paid employee and dependent child(ren)’s premiums; buy-up options are available for other HMO and PPO coverage
Dental and vision coverage
Option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account
Employer-paid life insurance and disability plans
Generous paid time off (per year): 15 accrued vacation days that increase to 20 days after 3 years of employment
12 accrued sick days that may be used for physical and mental health needs
2 personal observance days
11 paid holidays plus 2 one-week office closures (during the summer and winter)
Up to 60 hours of compensatory time per calendar year (for exempt staff only)
403(b) retirement plan with an elective employee contribution, and after a year of employment a discretionary employer contribution
Free on-site parking or public transportation reimbursement
$45 per pay period for employees who use non-English language skills to perform work duties
Up to 6 months of parental leave
Organizational and team wellness activities to build team cohesion and camaraderie
Professional development support and opportunities
Annual payment of dues for required licenses or certifications (state bar dues for attorneys) and for a mutually agreed-upon professional organization