Litigation - Staff Attorney

Litigation – Staff Attorney 

 (Full-Time, Exempt Position) 

Inner City Law Center (ICLC) is a nonprofit law firm located in the Skid Row neighborhood of Los Angeles. We are looking for extraordinary people to help us end homelessness in Los Angeles. Founded on the fundamental principle that every person should always be treated with dignity and respect, ICLC fights for justice for low-income tenants, working-poor families, people who are disabled or experiencing homelessness, people living with HIV/AIDS, and homeless veterans. 

Position Description: ICLC is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney with at least two years of litigation experience to join our team and work on habitability litigation on behalf of low-income tenants. This position is part of ICLC’s Slum Housing Litigation Team, which combines outreach, education, tenant organizing, and litigation to address housing-related health hazards that threaten vulnerable, low-income tenants. ICLC’s lawyers, paralegals, and organizers seek to improve unhealthy living conditions, preserve affordable housing, protect against retaliation, and recover financial damages. 

The Staff Attorney will support litigation against landlords who rent unsafe and unhealthy apartments to vulnerable low-income tenants. The tasks include new client intakes, drafting pleadings and discovery, responding to discovery, motions and oppositions to motions, document summaries, witness files, depositions, mediations, trials, and all other tasks as needed to support ongoing litigation. 

Responsibilities: 

• Meet with ICLC clients and provide client-centered legal advice related to homelessness and housing stability.
• Carry a caseload, which may include litigation, trial work, appellate work, and administrative hearings. 
• Develop case strategies and work plans for assigned matters.
• Conduct legal research and, as appropriate draft legal documents (including pleadings, trial memoranda, appellate briefs, and materials for administrative hearings), and community education materials. 
• Inform clients and our client communities about their legal rights and ICLC services.
• Maintain accurate, timely and complete case files and submit detailed monthly quantitative and qualitative reports as requested.
• Work with the appropriate government agencies to resolve client problems.
• Guide and train other program staff, including fellows, paralegals, less experienced attorneys, and law clerks, as well as external entities and pro bono partners.
• Participate in legal clinics and community education efforts.
• Actively participate in community groups and coalitions on issues impacting ICLC clients and client communities, such as access to the courts, access to public benefits, the availability of affordable housing, and systemic racism.
• Help develop and maintain relationships with funders, government agencies, and community-based organizations.
• Partner with pro bono counsel to expand the volume of services that ICLC can provide.
• Assist with projects and drafting policies and procedures related to legal issues.
• Maintain timesheets as directed. 
• Adhere to all ethical responsibilities, including the Rules of Professional Conduct, which establish standards of legal ethics and professional responsibility for lawyers in California. 

Perform other duties as assigned.  
 

Hiring Criteria: Commitment to ICLC’s mission and values. Litigation experience. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to assume responsibility quickly and ability to work closely with a team including the Director of Litigation, staff attorneys, paralegals, organizers and administrative personnel. Ability to use good judgment, multi-task, and meet deadlines. Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income communities. Membership in the California Bar or another State Bar is required. Must use and conform to in-house systems and practices and compliance with deadlines. This position will serve a nine-month probationary period. Must have a reliable form of transportation. 

Compensation: Salary ranges from $78,000 - $105,000 and is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits.  

How to Apply: Cover letters and resumes are reviewed upon receipt and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter detailing interest in the position directly to our website at https://innercitylaw.org/apply/. Applications will not be considered if both resume and cover letter are not provided.  

Inner City Law Center is committed to having a diverse staff and an equitable and inclusive workplace. To read our full DEI Statement, please click here.