Description:
Description:Are you committed to empowering your community through advocacy to help tenants protect their rights?
The Spanish Bilingual Self-Help Tenant Hotline Staff Attorney works with staff paralegals, Justice Corp fellows and interns, law student and paralegal interns, and volunteers to provide legal information and education to self-represented litigants.
The Self-Help staff attorney will be working on a high-volume information phone line that assists litigants with their cases in Los Angeles County. The attorney will also be assigned to work onsite at the Self-Help Center in the Compton Courthouse as needed. This full-time hybrid position reports to the Supervising Attorney.
Responsibilities:
- Respond to a high-volume legal information hotline by conducting client intakes, accurately coding services, and providing accurate legal information to callers.
- Provide legal information and education to self-represented litigants, primarily in unlawful detainer and housing matters, through structured interviews and direct assistance in a fast-paced environment.
- Review and assess self-prepared legal documents and pleadings submitted by self-represented litigants and provide appropriate legal information and guidance.
- Supervise Self-Help staff and contribute to the overall work of the Self-Help Unit, including assisting with the provision of legal information in other civil legal matters as needed.
- Provide legal analysis and conduct factual and legal research to support Self-Help paralegals, intake staff, and volunteers in delivering accurate legal information and education to litigants.
- Interview litigants and communicate legal information effectively, ensuring clarity and professionalism.
- Review and assess self-prepared legal documents, including pleadings, memoranda, correspondence, and related materials.
- Supervise and direct the legal work of paralegals, law students, interns, and volunteers, and participate in community outreach and education as needed.
- Work with a multicultural perspective.
- Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.
Requirements:
Education:
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.
Qualifications:
- Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, active insurance policy and ability to travel frequently in and around the service area- Required.
- Bilingual Spanish proficiency- Required.
- Prior legal services advocacy experience – Preferred.
- Gain knowledge of Landlord-Tenant law, including unlawful detainer notices, pleadings, answers, and motions.
- Gain Knowledge of other areas of Civil Law, such as Family Law and Consumer Debt.
- Strong legal research, writing skills, and experience with form preparation for Civil Cases from start to completion.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with strong problem-solving ability, creativity, and effective use of technology.
- Strong work ethic and initiative, with the ability to organize time, manage multiple priorities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Ability to identify legal issues and provide real-time guidance to Self-Help staff, supported by strong interpersonal and client communication skills, including experience working with indigent clients.
- Strong technical and organizational skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and keen attention to detail.
- Demonstrated commitment to learning and knowledge-sharing, with an empathetic, collaborative, and energetic approach to teamwork.
- Ability to effectively engage with a wide range client population utilizing client-centered lawyering and trauma-informed practices.
- Commitment and ability to model CLA SoCal's values and mission – Required.
- The position is structured as a 35-hour workweek. Exempt status may require additional hours as needed to perform essential job functions.
- 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
