Tenant's Rights Trial Attorney (Temporary)

Mission Economic Development Agenc • San Francisco, CA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) is hiring a Tenant's Rights Trial Attorney for its Housing Stabilization & Eviction Defense (HSED) legal staff. HSED provides culturally competent legal services for housing conflicts. The attorney works directly with tenants facing housing issues and eviction lawsuits, with the goal of avoiding displacement and supporting stable housing.

The attorney leads legal representation in unlawful detainer actions, fair housing and civil rights matters, and post-eviction housing stability cases. The role includes advising clients about their housing situations, rights, and contractual obligations; helping them make informed decisions; and handling trial representation, discovery, legal research, motions, depositions, filings, and client files. Matters may involve rental rates, unpaid rent, nuisance claims, no-fault evictions, habitability, subtenancy, and other landlord-tenant disputes.

This is a temporary, hybrid position based in San Francisco. Candidates must be able to work at least four days per week in the San Francisco office. The attorney reports to the Chief Program Officer.

Requirements

• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Active membership in good standing in the State Bar of California.
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university.
• Professional or lived experience working with communities of color.
• Minimum 1–3 years of litigation experience, including trial or evidentiary-hearing representation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a caseload of eviction-defense and housing-litigation matters.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills for working with clients, staff members, and senior attorneys.
• Trial experience and/or administrative-hearing experience representing tenants against unlawful-detainer or housing-related claims.
• Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; MEDA is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
• Must be able to work at least four days per week in MEDA’s San Francisco office.

Responsibilities

• Provide full-scope representation for tenants facing eviction, including all aspects of unlawful detainer proceedings.
• Represent clients in administrative hearings, including hearings before the San Francisco Rent Board.
• Handle court filings, discovery, motion practice, depositions, trial representation, and case management.
• Draft legal documents, including correspondence, briefs, motions, pleadings, contracts, affidavits, and settlement agreements.
• Work with low- and moderate-income clients on legal matters related to remaining in their homes.
• Negotiate settlements and stipulations to preserve tenants’ housing.
• Provide limited-scope representation or counsel to tenants navigating escalated housing predicaments.
• Investigate and litigate housing discrimination and retaliation claims under federal, state, and local law.
• File and pursue administrative and judicial complaints to enforce tenants’ fair housing and civil rights.
• Represent and advise tenants on post-eviction legal issues, including security-deposit recovery, lease-termination disputes, and eviction-record expungement or sealing.
• Collaborate with MEDA housing counselors to help clients rebuild financial and housing stability after eviction.
• Establish and refine procedures and policies for handling client cases, files, and other aspects of legal service delivery.
• Help strengthen the eviction defense service line through internal systems, case-management protocols, and quality-control standards.
• Support data tracking, reporting, and grant-compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with housing counselors and other MEDA programs to create integrated service pathways for clients.
• Contribute to program strategy, community partnerships, and advocacy efforts to expand tenant protections.
• Support training and mentorship of legal staff, fellows, or volunteers as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance for employees and their dependents.
• At least 20 days of paid time off for new employees.
• Employee Assistance Program offering free financial or legal counseling to employees or their families.
• Other voluntary benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree