Senior Litigation Attorney

EDC JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Litigation Attorney plays an important role in advancing EDC’s mission by providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal services to tenants facing eviction and by serving as a leader and mentor within the litigation team. The Senior Litigation Attorney will handle complex cases and provide full-scope legal representation, while also supporting the professional growth of more junior attorneys, fellows, interns, and other staff. Working under the direction of the Supervising Litigation Attorney, this role helps foster an equitable, collaborative team culture and contributes to ensuring that EDC’s legal work is effective, client-centered, and aligned with organizational values. 

This position is ideal for a skilled litigator who is passionate about housing justice, thrives in fast-paced environments, and brings a supportive, team-oriented approach to both client advocacy and staff development. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Services Duties (65%)

• Provide full scope representation to tenants in eviction matters including: 
  1. Preparing responsive pleadings, discovery, and motions; 
  2. Advocating for tenants and negotiating on their behalf with landlords and landlord attorneys in unlawful detainer (eviction) actions; 
  3. Representing tenants at court hearings, settlement conferences, and trials. 
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within the respective department. 
• Provide support for volunteer attorneys and attorneys at other legal services organizations representing tenants. 
• Work with attorneys and other EDC staff to train and supervise work product of law fellows and law clerks. 
• Conduct training and other outreach as needed to other non-profit and community-based agencies. 

Mentorship Duties (25%)

• Co-counsel on cases staffed by more junior staff until such time as the junior staff is able to work more independently. 
• Provide mentorship to law fellows, law clerks, and new staff attorneys. 
• On a periodic basis, advise EDC's RTC clinic staff, including answering questions and reviewing draft pleadings.  
• Work collaboratively with the Supervising Litigation Attorneys to develop training plans and mentorship to new attorneys, law fellows, law clerks, etc. 

Administrative Duties (10%)

• Attend and actively contribute to weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and relevant supervision meetings. 
• Ensure accurate, timely data entry to support program evaluation and outcomes tracking. 
• Represent EDC at community meetings/events as required. 
• Work with attorneys and other EDC staff to train and review the work of law fellows, law clerks, and more junior staff attorneys. 

Perform other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

At EDC, we work to protect housing stability and provide meaningful access to legal and financial support for San Francisco tenants facing eviction. First and foremost, candidates must share our commitment to high-quality, client-centered services and bring strong professional skills, sound judgment, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Our work often involves supporting individuals and families through difficult and stressful moments. Success in this role requires empathy, professionalism, and a calm, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving. 

Below are the minimum qualifications:  

• Active membership in good standing with the California Bar. 
• Minimum of four (4) years of litigation experience (preferably in landlord-tenant, housing law, in the context of unlawful detainer). 
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local landlord-tenant law 
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and mentoring within a legal team (formal supervision not required). 
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. 
• Strong organizational skills and sound judgment. 
• Experience working directly with a diverse population of clients, including clients in crisis and from a variety of backgrounds. 
• an understanding of the systemic barriers they may face. 
• Ability to exercise discretion and handle sensitive information appropriately. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Knowledge of subsidized housing law. 
• Experience working in housing justice, legal aid, or social services settings. 
• Bilingual ability in Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, Russian, or other second language.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• High level of professional integrity, accountability, and reliability. 
• Excellent client-centered approach to service; demonstrated ability to work with clients who may be in distress or crisis. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients. 
• Strong mentoring, leadership, and team-building skills. 
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team-oriented environment. 
• Strong time management and project management skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with a high volume of activity. 
• Possess ability to make sound, quick decisions and exercise good judgment. 
• Strong listening skills and ability to convey complex information clearly. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other office software; Salesforce or other legal/case management database experience. 

UNION

EDC staff are represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW, UAW Local 2320, AFL-CIO). This position is a union position and is subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position requires working with individuals during moments of extreme stress and instability. The position also requires the provision of culturally sensitive and empathetic services. Some evening and weekend work may be required.   

EDC adheres to health and safety protocols established by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the CDC, and federal and state OSHA requirements. 

This is a hybrid role with an expectation to be on-site at least three (3) days per week, depending on the needs of the organization and of the Litigation team. EDC maintains a three-day in-office policy for all employees. Staff are expected to be available and responsive via email, phone, and video conferencing during standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) while working remotely, and to communicate with their supervisor when attending off-site meetings or obligations. Remote work equipment and an internet/utilities stipend are provided in accordance with the needs of the role and department. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Prolonged sitting/standing.  
• Extensive typing/data entry.  
• Close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, text, and figures.  
• Prolonged computer use. 

EDC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone is treated fairly, regardless of background or identity.  

Employment decisions at EDC are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications — without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, and termination. EDC does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. 

DIRECT REPORTS

The Senior Litigation Attorney will not supervise any employee. 

COMPENSATION

Pay Range: $85,000.00–$100,000.00 annually, in accordance with the NOLSW-UAW Local 2320 and EDC Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).  

Salary may be increased by $1,000 per year of relevant prior experience (up to 10 years), as provided under the CBA for applicants hired into bargaining unit positions. This experience-based increase in pay applies only at the time of hire for external candidates entering bargaining unit positions.  

This is a full-time, exempt position and is not eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable federal and state law.  

Multilingual Stipend: EDC offers a multilingual stipend of $125 per month per test ($1,500 per year)-whether written or oral- for specific roles that regularly use oral or written communication with clients or related parties in Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese, or Mandarin. To qualify, employees must pass an oral and/or written test approved by the Labor-Management Committee. This position may be eligible for the multilingual stipend.  

Benefits: EDC offers a generous benefits package for full-time employees, including:  

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance  
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions  
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays  
• Commuter benefits  
• Professional development opportunities