The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley invites California State Bar attorneys with an interest in fair housing and policy advocacy work to apply for the Staff Attorney position on the Housing team. (Candidates awaiting California Bar Exam results are eligible to apply). This is a flexible, hybrid position. Candidates must be available to commute to the office, field work, or hearings 2+ days per week.

Who We Are

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley advances the rights of underrepresented individuals and families in our diverse community through legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach. Now with over 90 employees, the Law Foundation is the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay. Located in downtown San Jose, the Law Foundation is dynamic interesting place to work. We pride ourselves on fostering a work environment that is motivating, collaborative and fun, with plenty of opportunities for professional growth. We are working towards a race-conscious legal services practice.

What You'll Do

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley is seeking a full-time Attorney for its Housing Department. The Law Foundation is focused on 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 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.

Primary Duties

• Provide direct representation to clients in unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings and managing an individual caseload
• Engage in policy advocacy including research, 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 motion writing, written discovery and depositions
• Investigate potential systemic issues including 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
• Participate in outreach and educate 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
• Support program and organization-wide initiatives, including race equity

Who You Are

This position may be right for you if you have:

• A California Bar Membership, or are otherwise eligible to practice law in California (individuals awaiting California Bar Exam results are eligible to apply)
• Experience managing a high-volume caseload including experience representing tenants in unlawful detainer actions
• Experience identifying, investigating and resolving client problems
• An 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
• Affirmative litigation experience including representing Plaintiffs in housing matters in state and federal court
• The 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
• A compassionate approach to lawyering
• Experience working with individuals in crisis
• Passion for social justice and race equity, as well as a desire to provide assistance to underserved populations

Preferred Requirements:

• Bilingual capabilities (particularly Spanish or Vietnamese and English)

What We Offer

The salary scale for this position is $70,000 - $99,320.92. All compensation is determined by the wage table of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between SEIU Local 521 and LFSV. Placement on the wage table will be based upon an applicant's bar admission date and months of experience in comparable roles. Excellent benefits provided, including:

• A 35 hour/week work schedule
• 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
• A robust Employee Assistance Program that includes free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents
• A 401(k)-retirement plan. Employer contributions after the first year of employment.
• 2 weeks of paid educational leave for those scheduled to take the California Bar Examination
• A sabbatical after 5 years of employment
• An annual budget for professional development
• An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job
• The option to work a hybrid schedule (candidates must be available to commute to the office, field work, or hearings 2+ days per week)

Location

Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace and staff will be required to commute to our San Jose offices 2+ days per week. As long as staff can meet the requirements above, including commuting at their own expense, staff may live anywhere in California. Due to logistical challenges regarding taxes, insurance, and time zones, we are not able to consider staff in other states at this time.

The Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. We strongly encourage people of color, women, people living with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to apply. It is the policy of the Law Foundation to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. The Law Foundation will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. Candidates from historically excluded communities including from different racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, persons living with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community encouraged to apply.

ADA Accessible Facility - Equal Opportunity Employer - Drug-Free Workplace

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