CCLS Staff Attorney - Housing Team

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

For over 50 years, Central California Legal Services (CCLS) has represented and advocated for low-income individuals in Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties. With more than 90 employees, our mission is to provide high quality, no-cost civil legal services to low-income individuals, families, and communities—improving the wellbeing of our Valley through systems-changing advocacy, client education, and legal work that meets individual clients’ immediate needs. We also work closely with agencies and community organizations that share our commitment to support our clients in being their own agents of change. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

CCLS seeks a full-time, experienced Staff Attorney to be a part of its dynamic Housing Team.  Our Housing Team oversees and implements the Shriver Right to Counsel and Homelessness Prevention Projects, which act to prevent homelessness. The Staff Attorney will carry a caseload of eviction defense (unlawful detainer) and affirmative litigation cases and provide general legal support to clients across the Central Valley. In addition to carrying their own caseload, the Staff Attorney will participate in community outreach events and legal clinics and workshops in partnership with community-based organizations. They will also work with volunteer law attorneys from private law firms who are providing pro bono representation to clients facing eviction and uninhabitable conditions. Through their work, the Staff Attorney will ensure safe and affordable housing and prevent individuals and families from being evicted into homelessness. 

DUTIES

• Work with a fast-paced eviction team, including attorneys and paralegals, to negotiate with opposing counsel, work directly with clients to help them stay housed, prepare discovery requests and responses, draft pleadings, motions and correspondence, negotiate settlements, conduct unlawful detainer bench and jury trials, and pursue appellate remedies;
• Bring strategic, affirmative litigation to prevent homelessness and improve housing conditions;
• Participate in organizing, conducting, and attending community outreach events and legal workshops/clinics across the Central Valley;
• Maintain ongoing relationships with CCLS attorneys, pro bono attorneys and volunteers, support centers, and community partners; 
• Assist with provision of in-person, legal services at the CCLS Los Banos satellite office;
• Attend national or regional trainings as deemed necessary and/or helpful to CCLS, and provide training on lessons learned to other CCLS staff;
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California;
• Minimum three years of legal experience as a practicing attorney;
• Collaborative, team-oriented individual able to work with colleagues and external partners;
• Ability to assume responsibility quickly, comfortable under pressure, and able to work independently and as part of a team; 
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
• Have an organized, detailed approach;
• Excellent negotiation skills; 
• Able to use good judgment, multitask, and meet short-notice deadlines;
• Ability to work with a wide range of clients in a kind, appropriate, client-centered manner; 
• Bilingual ability strongly preferred in English and at least one other language commonly spoken in the Central Valley (preferred);
• Commitment to CCLS’ mission and core values;  
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Ability to travel as needed, proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.

CCLS is an equal opportunity employer: we value equity, inclusion, and diversity, across all races, cultures, classes, ages, religions, gender identities and presentations, sexual orientations, body sizes, family structures, abilities, and all categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply. CCLS is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.