Tenant's Rights Trial Attorney (Temporary)
About The Position
Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) is hiring a temporary Tenant's Rights Trial Attorney for its Housing Stabilization & Eviction Defense (HSED) legal staff. The attorney will provide culturally competent legal services to tenants facing housing conflicts and eviction lawsuits, working to prevent displacement and support stable housing. The position is based in San Francisco, California, and is hybrid; candidates must be able to work at least four days per week in the San Francisco office. The attorney will carry out daily operations of the eviction defense service line and lead representation in unlawful detainer actions, fair housing and civil rights matters, and post-eviction housing stability cases. Responsibilities include direct client representation, litigation, strategic advocacy, trial representation, discovery, legal research, drafting and filing documents and motions, depositions, and maintaining current client files. The role addresses a wide range of landlord-tenant disputes, including rental rates, unpaid rent, nuisance situations, no-fault evictions, habitability, and subtenancy challenges. The attorney will also help strengthen the service line through operating procedures, case management systems, quality control, data reporting, community partnerships, and advocacy. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. MEDA is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
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 and/or administrative-hearing experience representing tenants against unlawful detainer or housing-related claims.
- Authorization to work for any employer in the United States.
Responsibilities
- Provide full-scope representation for tenants facing eviction, including all aspects of unlawful detainer proceedings.
- Represent clients in administrative hearings, including San Francisco Rent Board proceedings.
- Handle court filings, discovery, motion practice, depositions, and trial representation related to case management.
- Prepare 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 operating procedures and policies for client cases, files, and legal-service delivery.
- Help develop internal systems, case-management protocols, and quality-control standards for the eviction defense service line.
- 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
