Staff Attorney-Housing

Who We Are

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (“Law Foundation”) is dedicated to advancing the rights of historically excluded individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County. Through our legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach, we empower over 10,000 individuals and families each year. Our Housing, Children & Youth, Health and Pro Bono Programs use legal advocacy as a catalyst for social change, creating innovative solutions to the legal challenges facing low-income communities in our region. With a dedicated team of over 85 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. Learn more at https://www.lawfoundation.org/. 

The Opportunity

We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Staff Attorney to join our Housing Team at Law Foundation. The Housing Department is dedicated to the prevention of displacement of low-income individuals and communities of color through both direct legal services, including unlawful detainer defense, and system change work, including impact litigation and policy advocacy. 

The Housing Attorney may have several different job duties and responsibilities, and these responsibilities could shift overtime ranging from direct representation of tenants to policy advocacy and impact litigation. The Housing Rights Attorney may assist with landlord/tenant problems, eviction defense, fair housing/housing discrimination complaints, reasonable accommodations of disability, Section 8 voucher/Housing Authority issues. Additionally, the attorney may work on policy advocacy and policy campaigns, fair housing and impact litigation. The Housing Attorney will also be involved in community and client education and outreach activities, and system reform projects.

 As Staff Attorney, you will:

•  Provide direct representation to clients in unlawful detainer(eviction) proceedings and carry an individual caseload; 
•  Engage in policy advocacy including research and writing, writing reports related to policy advocacy, writing advocacy letters to legislative bodies, and meeting with elected officials. Policy issues that the attorney may work on include anti-displacement policies, and tenant protections including rent stabilization, and just cause eviction protections; 
•  Assist and lead fair housing and impact litigation including, but not limited to, research and writing, motion writing, written discovery and depositions; 
•  Investigate potential systemic issues including research, writing, public records reviews, and in-person surveying; 
•  Attend, monitor, and provide feedback at community meetings, government body meetings, task force meetings, and other meetings/hearings related to systemic advocacy; 
•  Support program and organization-wide initiatives, including race equity; 
•  Participate in education and outreach to community about legal issues confronted by low-income tenants. 
• Provide legal support to non-attorney staff and pro bono volunteers assisting with client intake and legal services
•  Collaborate with internal teams to ensure a seamless and people-centered approach to service delivery

Job Requirements

•  Applicants must be current members in good standing with the California State Bar or plan to sit for the next California bar exam and be in the process of obtaining a positive moral character determination.  Recent graduates and mid to senior level attorneys are encouraged to apply.  
•  Experience with a high-volume caseload including experience representing tenants in unlawful detainer actions
• Ability to identify, investigate and resolve client problems
• Ability to analyze, write and present ideas and legal concepts clearly and concisely
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and perform well under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and effectively work as a part of a team, both internal and external to the Law Foundation
• Experience in policy advocacy and/or organizing
•  Experience in community lawyering
• Connections to and experience working with diverse populations, including communities of color and people living with disabilities
•  Ability to interact compassionately and effectively with individuals in crisis
• Passion for social justice and race equity, as well as a desire to provide assistance to underserved populations
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills
•  Bilingual in English and Spanish or Vietnamese is preferred
• Committed to racial equity, inclusion and belonging and able recognize the ways that race, and other identities intersect in the work, especially for communities we serve
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, or capacity to pick up new computer skills

What We Offer

This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to the Supervising Attorney. The annual salary range for this role is $80,000-105,000 determined by the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and Law Foundation. Placement on the wage table will be based upon an applicant’s experience in comparable roles. 

We are committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and professional development of our team members. To that end, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefit package, which includes:

• 19 paid holidays per year
• 3-5 weeks of vacation per year
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• Up to 6 months of parental leave
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
• Free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents through our Employee Assistance Program
• A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions
• A sabbatical after 5 years of employment
• An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job
• An annual budget for professional development
• Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees
• The flexibility to work a hybrid schedule
• An office building that offers a fully equipped gym, outdoor terrace, convenient on-site parking, bike storage, lounge areas, and 24/7 security

Workplace Expectations

Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace. Please note that the Staff Attorney may be expected to work in our San Jose office a minimum of 2 days/week.

Working At Law Foundation

Law Foundation is a unionized workplace, and members of the bargaining unit are represented by SEIU Local 521. This position is part of the bargaining unit. 

Additionally, Law Foundation is strongly committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for our staff, volunteers, clients, and partners. To achieve this goal, the Law Foundation actively works to improve communications, community engagement, systems and structures, and office culture to create an inclusive and respectful workplace where differences are acknowledged and valued.

We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. Law Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal legal system, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Application Process

Application materials must include:

· A cover letter that addresses the following: How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity among our staff?

· A resume

· Contact information for three professional references. We will always ask for your consent and inform you before contacting any of your references. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority review will be given to applications received by 9/15/24. Please note that our interview process includes interviewing by phone, video, and/or in-person.

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team that values people, trust, accountability, creativity, joy, and fun, we would love to hear from you!