Staff Attorney – Housing

Community Legal Aid SoCal

Staff Attorney representing low-income and senior tenants facing eviction in Los Angeles County. Working with the housing team as part of the Stay Housed LA program.

Posted 4/28/2026full-timeNorwalk • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $80,000 - $98,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Maintain a caseload representing tenants in unlawful detainer matters, including handling negotiations, settlements and trials.
Advise tenants on landlord/tenant issues.
Actively participate in community groups and coalitions on issues impacting service-eligible populations.
Engage in community outreach, including conducting know your rights presentations.
Represent clients, counsel, and advise clients in legal matters.
Maintain detailed and accurate case notes and timekeeping in case management system (LegalServer).
Interview clients.
Effectively and efficiently communicate with clients.
Engage in case investigation, witness interviews, factual and legal research.
Research and write pleadings, memoranda, correspondence and other legal documents.
Engage in negotiation and settlement discussions with adverse parties and their legal representatives.
Work with community groups, conduct outreach, and provide community education presentations and materials.
Engage in policy advocacy, coordinate, and collaborate in policy campaigns with partner community-based organizations to improve systemic issues.
Direct and supervise the legal work of paralegal and law students, interns, and volunteers.
Identify wrap-around legal services and work collaboratively with CLA SoCal’s various legal units.
Work with a multi-cultural perspective.
Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Juris Doctor degree and an active member in good standing of the California Bar or member to another state bar and ability to register as a legal services provider.
Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy or other ability to travel frequently in and around the service area for representation and to engage with clients and community partners. – Required
Familiarity with landlord tenant law - Preferred.
Litigation experience including propounding and responding to discovery, taking and defending depositions, and representing clients in trial - Preferred
Bilingual proficiency - Preferred
Articulate, creative, and passionate advocate with excellent written and oral communication skills, computer skills, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to spot legal issues and comfort with providing real-time counsel & advice.
Strong interpersonal skills, client communication skills and comfort working with indigent clients.
Strong technical skills; including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and document preparation software.
Great organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
Ability to interact with a wide range of clients utilizing client-centered lawyering and trauma-informed frameworks.
Ability to model CLA SoCal’s values & mission – Required

Benefits

Comp & perks

May work as little as 35-hour workweek.
Hybrid Schedule
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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Juris Doctor degreelitigation experiencelandlord tenant lawlegal researchpleadings writingdiscoverydepositionscase managementclient-centered lawyeringtrauma-informed frameworks

Soft Skills

advocacywritten communicationoral communicationproblem-solvinginterpersonal skillsclient communicationorganizational skillsattention to detailcreativitycultural competency

Certifications

active member of the California Barvalid driver's licenseactive insurance policy