Senior Staff Attorney

Description:

Full-time position starting at $85,000 per year (D.O.E) with COMPETITIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account
• Generous PTO, paid sick time, 15 days of paid vacations, 13 days of paid holidays, plus a personal holiday
• CCS/CHS 403(b) Employee Saving Plan
• Employee assistance program

Program Description:
The Tenant Law Center (TLC) is a homelessness prevention program that offers free legal assistance to qualifying low-income households in the City of Seattle and limited services throughout King County with matters related to eviction, subsidy termination, landlord/tenant issues, and credit issues related to past tenancies.

Position Description:
The Senior Staff Attorney position will provide legal assistance, ranging from counsel and advice to full representation, to people at risk of losing their housing, facing housing instability issues, or who need assistance addressing issues from previous tenancies that impact their ability to obtain housing. The Senior Staff Attorney will work with the Directing Attorney in training attorney and support staff and provide mentorship and guidance to team members. They will also assist with community education and outreach through presentations, trainings, and workshops, and must be committed to providing equitable and culturally competent services.

Major Responsibilities:
Client Representation

• Represent low-income tenants in negotiation and litigation.
• Assist with training new attorneys.
• Delegate legal tasks to non-attorney staff including paralegals, legal assistants, case managers and interns.
• Supervise the work of all non-attorney staff, including paralegals, legal assistants, case managers and interns on assigned cases.
• Utilize expertise in residential landlord-tenant and subsidized housing law.
• Provide on-going representation to tenants with an eviction notice or a housing subsidy termination.
• Perform all duties in compliance with the Rules of Professional Cond

Case Load Management

• Maintain thorough case notes in LegalServer for all clients and prospective client contacts.
• Track deadlines and ensure that cases are handled in a timely manner.
• Participate in screening and referrals for tenants requesting services.
• Consult with Directing Attorney regarding major litigation.
• Participate in regular case reviews.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Participate in staff and volunteer recruitment and selection process in coordination with the Directing Attorney.
• Train and mentor new attorney and support staff on substantive housing law, case strategy, client management, and TLC procedures.

Training and Outreach:

• Respond to inquiries about housing matters from community partners and social service case workers.
• Develop and present trainings for client groups and community organizations.

Community Advocasy:

• Participate in a wide range of advocacy activities such as testifying at community meetings, legislative hearings, etc.
• Participate in work groups and task forces.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings to increase rights and protections of tenants.
• Other duties as assigned by the Directing Attorney.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Active Washington State Bar Membership in good standing.
• Demonstrated commitment to serve low-income populations
• Four years of experience representing low-income populations.
• Two years of experience supervising attorneys, volunteers, law students, and paralegals in providing services to low-income households.
• Excellent written communication skills
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations.
• Understanding of systemic inequality and commitment to striving toward race equity.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to travel within King County; must have valid driver's license, insurance, and access to reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Four years of experience representing tenants in housing cases.
• Fluency in another language common to the community served.
• Experience with Legal Server or other legal case management database software.
• Demonstrated commitment to race equity work.

---