Directing Attorney - Housing Law Team

Description:

The Directing Attorney will be one of two supervisors leading the Housing Law Team, both of whom will be under the supervision of the Chief Program Officer. The Directing Attorney will provide thoughtful leadership on housing issues, including but not limited to representation of clients in unlawful detainer actions, habitability situations, and other landlord/tenant problems. The Directing Attorney will also play a role in deciding the circumstances that require policy and/or systems-change remedies and the ways in which CCLS's work can drive a racially equitable solution. The Directing Attorney will be expected to strategize and determine the most effective tools to use in each case or issue(s) at hand – e.g., litigation, advocacy, community legal education, while maintaining an appropriate balance between the individual and the impact work.

Requirements:
Duties:

• Supervise members of a Housing Law team and, under the supervision of the Chief Program Officer, take principal responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day delivery of legal and advocacy services by team members;
• Ensure the provision of high quality legal and advocacy services for clients, and the effective use of time and resources by team members;
• Supervise and assist in providing legal services and/or community education at clinics, workshops, and community events;
• Provide mentorship, training, and support to team members to improve litigation and advocacy skills;
• Evaluate work of team members, conduct case reviews, and review advocate caseloads (i.e., quality, quantity, priorities, and compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC), other funder requirements, along with other applicable laws and regulations);
• Assist in grant proposal writing, compliance tracking, and reporting;
• Improve team and individual team members' advocacy skills;
• Maintain individual case load consistent with program priorities and other duties
• Co-counsel or participate in impact litigation, and participate as a member of litigation teams;
• Participate in CCLS Leadership meetings and retreats;
• Engage in outreach to the client community and to community-based organizations, and participate, as appropriate, in statewide, regional, and national task forces;
• Participate in hiring interviews and in making recommendations for the hiring of CCLS staff;
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California (required);
• Minimum five years of legal experience (required);
• Litigation experience in trial courts, administrative hearings, and appeals, and willingness to develop and improve litigation or administrative advocacy skills (required);
• Collaborative, team-oriented individual able to work with colleagues and external partners (required);
• Ability to train, mentor, and motivate others (required);
• Commitment to CCLS' mission and core values (required);
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (required).
• Proven organizational, leadership, and management skills (required);
• Public interest experience either through employment at a non-profit legal services organization or through demonstrated commitment to pro bono endeavors while in private practice (preferred);
• Previous management experience (preferred);
• Bilingual ability (English/Spanish or English/Hmong preferred);
• Reliable transportation, a valid CA Drivers' License with appropriate car insurance.

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