Housing Staff Attorney

VLI seeks a talented, full-time Housing Staff Attorney to provide free legal services to prevent veteran homelessness for clients who qualify as indigent. The candidate will expand VLI's current efforts to prevent veteran homelessness primarily in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The candidate will primarily provide eviction defense or other tenant defense assistance (including reasonable accommodations, HOA issues, etc.), counseling, advice and consultation, training, renter education, representation, and legal services to improve habitability, increasing affordable housing, ensuring receipt of eligible income or benefits to improve housing stability, and homelessness prevention. The candidate may attend legal clinics at various locations, work with both emerging and long-term housing partners, and contribute to building and working with our pro bono network so that indigent veterans can access justice and achieve housing stability. The Staff Attorney will also lead trainings, provide technical assistance to volunteers, and review completed applications for eligibility, legal work, and/or placement with a pro bono attorney.

Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Managing Attorney, the Staff Attorney will handle a diverse caseload and will also be responsible for conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and appearing in court to advocate on behalf of clients.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain an active caseload and provide quality legal services to mentally ill, low-income, disabled and homeless former and active service members;
• Interview former and active service members to determine what the legal issue is and if they are eligible for VLI's services- Common areas of law primarily include unlawful detainer/eviction defense;
• Participate in case review meetings to ensure that legal services provided are consistent with VLI's priorities, policies and procedures, and that they maximize office resources to provide the highest quality client service;
• Work with Managing Attorney to meet the overall goals of the organization;
• Work with and assist volunteers, including law students and pro bono attorneys, with tasks;
• Liaison with the client veteran community and represent VLI at networking events (occasional nights and weekends required);
• Staff, coordinate and supervise legal clinics and trainings on a variety of legal issues that affect veterans;
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Active membership in the California State Bar;
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable law and community legal needs;
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills;
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff effectively at all levels of the organization;
• Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population; Ability to interact with a wide range of clients utilizing client-centered lawyering and trauma- informed frameworks;
• Ability to assume responsibility quickly and work independently and as part of a team; Ability to use good judgment, multitask, and meet deadlines;
• Experience in developing and leading trainings preferred;
• Experience working with veterans, people with disabilities, and people who are low-income and/or homeless preferred;
• Strong teaching and public speaking skills preferred; Previous experience in a legal services program preferred; Housing experience a plus;
• VA Accreditation a plus;
• Experience in representing mentally ill, low-income people, special populations, or military in civil litigation or administrative proceedings a strong plus;
• Knowledge of VA or government benefits, including SSI/SSDI, a strong plus; and
• Military service, related military background, or military familiarity of modern issues a plus.

Benefits

Partially-funded healthcare. Dental and vision insurance also offered. 401(k) program with company percentage match, sick and vacation time, paid State and Local Bar Fees after 90 days of employment, paid training, and employer-sponsored basic life insurance policy.