Staff Attorney (II), Eviction Defense Project - Bet Tzedek Legal Services

For 50 years, Bet Tzedek Legal Services has provided high-quality, free legal services to Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents. In that tradition, Bet Tzedek is seeking dedicated attorneys to join our Eviction Defense Project (EDP). The project fights to eliminate homelessness by providing litigation-based direct services to residential tenants in Los Angeles County facing eviction. EDP is part of the Right to Counsel Coalition and Stay Housed L.A. initiative.

This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services’ hybrid/remote workplace designation. While the primary workplace is Bet Tzedek’s offices, at the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be permitted to work remotely or may be required to work in other locations depending on workload/business obligations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Under the supervision of a manager, litigate eviction cases which includes: interviewing clients; drafting court forms, pleadings, motions, briefs, and correspondence; engaging in discovery practice; negotiating with outside parties; representing clients in Los Angeles County Courthouses and conducting jury trials.
• Perform case management duties, including but not limited to maintaining case files pursuant to agency practices and procedures;
• Provide counsel and advice and limited scope representation to clients on a wide variety of legal issues that may include eviction defense;
• Co-counsel with pro bono volunteers to represent clients in eviction cases and other housing matters;
• Collaborate with Development Staff to meet all relevant grant reporting requirements, including helping compile and interpret data and draft narratives;
• Assist with trainings, know-your-rights presentations, and/or outreach events on issues related to housing to staff, partners, and community members as needed (virtually and, to the extent appropriate and permissible, in-person); and
• Other assignments as deemed appropriate.

$82,221.99-$96,903.27 (DOE/DOQ)

Requirements:

• Active member of California State Bar in good standing (required);
• Minimum four (4) years of eviction defense litigation experience (required; jury trial experience strongly preferred);
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (strongly preferred);
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high-volume environment (required);
• Ability and willingness to travel within Los Angeles County (required), including with a private vehicle and valid California driver’s license (preferred);
• Exceptionally organized, self-motivated, and goal-oriented (required);
• Willingness and ability to conduct jury trials, with appropriate supervision and training (required);
• Willingness to train and work with volunteer attorneys and students (required);
• Work well as part of a team but also be able to work independently with minimal to moderate supervision (required);
• Understanding and commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission of equal justice for all and Bet Tzedek’s core values of leadership, community-based advocacy, and innovation (required); and
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (required).

BENEFITS PACKAGE:

Bet Tzedek offers an excellent benefits package in addition to competitive salaries. These benefits currently include:

• A generous number of paid holidays (up to 21 per year), vacation (up to 20, depending on number of years with agency), and sick days (up to 45) annually.
• Personal and floating holidays
• Compensatory time for exempt employees.
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave (after 1 year of employment.)
• Various paid leaves
• Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage for employees and dependents, with office visit co-pay reimbursement for HMO enrollees.
• Life/accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, long-term disability insurance, and Employee Assistance Plan.
• Voluntary (employee-contributed) life/AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital confinement, and pet insurance.
• Employee-contributed 401(k) plan.
• Employee-contributed 403(b) plan.
• Healthcare and childcare flexible spending accounts.
• Commuter transit and/or parking benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Email letter of interest, resume, and writing sample to bettzedek.C0.94D@applynow.io, subject: “Attorney II – EDP.”)

Note: All positions are subject to funding; ongoing funding or employment cannot be assured.

Bet Tzedek is a unionized environment. Our salary range for unionized positions reflects our agreed upon step placement system, and the final offer extended to candidates is based on an internal equity review and candidates’ relevant experience, skills, background, and bar date, if applicable.

To best serve our communities, Bet Tzedek seeks diverse staff with cultural competency reflecting our client populations. We strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups to apply