Description
Do you aspire to redefine outcomes for vulnerable tenants through innovative, community-focused eviction prevention efforts? If so, join our Voluntary Eviction Diversion Pilot Program today!
Community Legal Aid So Cal (CLA SoCal) seeks an experienced and mission-driven Staff Attorney to provide high-quality alternative dispute resolution services. The Eviction Diversion Pilot Program (EDPP) staff attorney will serve as neutral, third-party mediator for the program. Along with the Supervising Attorney and EDPP paralegals, EDPP staff attorneys will ensure the successful implementation and operation of EDPP, a court-based initiative at the Compton Los Angeles Superior Court designed to reduce eviction filings and prevent homelessness through mediation and rental assistance coordination. This hybrid full-time exempt position reports to the Supervising Attorney.
Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality alternative dispute resolutions services, including but not limited to litigant evaluation and education, preparation of paperwork including settlement agreements, and referral to additional services.
- Maintain detailed and accurate notes in VEDPP platform (Forward) and accurate timekeeping in CLA SoCal’s case management system (Legal Server).
- Timely enter required data into VEDPP platform.
- Effectively and efficiently communicate with VEDPP Litigants.
- In coordination with program paralegal staff, assist litigants in applying for services and if successful, rental arrears.
- Observe confidentiality and neutrality of VEDPP Litigants.
- Work with community groups, conduct outreach, and provide community education presentations and materials as needed.
- Work with a multi-cultural perspective of inclusion and diversity.
- Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.
Requirements
Education:
- Juris Doctor and active membership in good-standing with the State Bar of California Bar or member of another state bar and ability to register as a legal services provider.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in the practice of law including housing law, landlord-tenant disputes, or related areas.
- Knowledge of mediation practices and court procedures – Strongly Preferred.
- Ability to handle difficult litigants in stressful situations.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment and perform several activities at once and under pressure.
- Self-motivated, ability to learn quickly, initiative to problem-solve.
- Ability to work collaboratively with government agencies, courts, and community organizations.
- Proactive approach, anticipate problems, solution-focused, and able to think on their feet.
- Experience in providing Trauma-Responsive/Informed services to clients.
- Self-motivated, ability to learn quickly, initiative to problem-solve.
- Ability to work collaboratively with government agencies, courts, and community organizations.
- Proactive approach, anticipate problems, solution-focused, and able to think on their feet.
- Experience in providing Trauma-Responsive/Informed services to clients.
- Bilingual Spanish language proficiency – Strongly Preferred.
- Ability to model CLA SoCal’s values and mission – Required
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel within the service area - Required.
Holistic Benefits:
- May work as little as 35-hour workweek.
- A hybrid schedule may be available when the program is established.
- 16 paid holidays + PTO (including wellness days) starting Day 1
- Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability
- 401(k) with employer contribution
- Student loan reimbursement program
- Bilingual bonus pay for qualified staff
About CLA SoCal:
Community Legal Aid SoCal (CLA SoCal) is a welcoming and hopeful non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income residents and seniors throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. We provide equal employment opportunities. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, including people of different abilities, religions, identities, orientations, nationalities, and ethnicities. All individuals who are seeking a welcoming environment who celebrate and value the unique characteristics of every member of the team who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive at CLA SoCal to apply for this role.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor and active membership in good-standing with the State Bar of California or member of another state bar with ability to register as a legal services provider
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in the practice of law including housing law, landlord-tenant disputes, or related areas
- Knowledge of mediation practices and court procedures
- Experience in providing Trauma-Responsive/Informed services to clients
- Bilingual Spanish language proficiency
- Ability to handle difficult litigants in stressful situations, work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple tasks under pressure, and problem-solve independently
- Ability to work collaboratively with government agencies, courts, and community organizations
- Ability to model CLA SoCal's values and mission
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for travel within the service area
- Maintain detailed and accurate notes in VEDPP platform (Forward) and accurate timekeeping in CLA SoCal's case management system (Legal Server)
What We Do
Community Legal Aid SoCal is a legal non-profit dedicated to providing free civil legal services to low-income families, individuals, and senior citizens in Orange and southeast Los Angeles Counties. Its mission is to promote equal access to the justice system through advocacy, legal counseling, and holistic representation, fighting injustice to advocate for social, economic, and racial equity.
