Position: Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney, Housing Rights Program
Type: Regular, Exempt, Full-time position
Location: Hybrid Work Schedule, Based in San Francisco, CA
Deadline: Applications will be considered until November 6, 2023, or on a rolling basis until filled.
Compensation
This is a full-time, exempt position. The annual compensation depends on years of relevant experience; the range, starting from two years of experience, is $90,177-142,455. ALC offers an additional $1,000 annual compensation for proficiency in a language other than English and an additional $1,000 annual compensation for graduate degree(s).
Benefits
ALC’s comprehensive benefits package includes the following: generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and 401(k) retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match. This position is included in the collective bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 9410.
The Opportunity
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a full-time Staff Attorney, or Senior Staff Attorney depending on relevant experience, for its Housing Rights Program. The Housing Rights Staff Attorney will engage in direct services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community outreach. This position is an integral member of our Housing Rights team, which adopts a multi-pronged approach to housing defense and anti-displacement. The program provides holistic, community legal services and know-your-rights education to low-income and immigrant tenants who face threats of displacement due to gentrification and other economic pressures. The program also works with tenants and tenant groups to fight back against displacement and harassment. Staff also actively participate in community coalitions and work closely with tenants and grassroots advocates to use policy advocacy and impact litigation to protect and advance the rights of low-income communities of color. This position reports to the Housing Rights Program Manager.
The Organization
Advancing Justice - ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (APIs). Since 1972, Advancing Justice – ALC has preserved affordable housing in San Francisco’s Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color. Current program areas include Housing Rights, Immigrant Rights, Criminal Justice Reform, National Security & Civil Rights, Workers’ Rights, Voting Rights, and ASPIRE, the country’s first Asian and Pacific Islander undocumented youth leadership program. A growing staff of 57 provides strong collegial support and opportunities to learn and collaborate with other program areas.
Advancing Justice - ALC is based in San Francisco, a hub of the Asian American rights movement, progressive politics, and social justice activism. Our location in Chinatown is the first mixed-use, affordable housing co-op in San Francisco, serving as a model for preserving affordable housing in the city and protecting tenants’ rights.
Responsibilities
Day-to-day activities vary in this dynamic position and include the following:
- Direct Services
- Represent tenants at all stages in affirmative litigation, unlawful detainer litigation, and administrative proceedings
- Represent and counsel tenant groups
- Provide legal advice and counsel to tenants through clinics and legal consultations
- Conduct intakes as necessary
- Litigation
- Develop and work on impact litigation cases --including multi-tenant and building-wide housing cases--and participate in resulting advocacy efforts
- Policy
- Develop policy analysis around housing issues that impact low-income tenants
- Community Outreach
- Work with our Community Advocates to build relationships with grassroots community partners who support tenants and/or do anti-displacement work
- Support Know Your Rights trainings and other community legal education for tenants and community partners
Qualifications
- J.D. and California bar membership required
- Minimum of two (2) year of legal services (any practice area) OR state/federal court litigation experience
- Commitment to advancing the rights of low-income, people of color, immigrant, tenant, or worker communities
- Excellent research, analytical, written and oral communication skills, and strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to independently manage a caseload
- Ability to think creatively, be strategic, and exercise good judgment
- Ability to work well with diverse groups and individuals
- Ability to work well under time pressure
- Ability to work some weekends and evenings
Highly Desirable
- Previous experience with direct services, litigation, policy advocacy, organizing, and/or community lawyering experience
- Experience with or knowledge about housing, homelessness, land use, and/ or community development
- Fluency in a non-English language, particularly Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, or Vietnamese
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following by November 6, 2023. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
(1) cover letter explaining your interest in the position
(2) resume
(3) writing sample (no more than 10 pages)
(4) three professional references
Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.