Staff Attorney, Homeowner Protection Team

For almost 50 years, Bet Tzedek Legal Services has provided high-quality, free legal services to Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents. The Homeowner Protection team continues Bet Tzedek’s history of real estate and economic justice work. The team focuses on protecting homeowners at risk of losing ownership or equity to their homes to promote housing stability and preserve intergenerational wealth and stability in Los Angeles’s highest need communities.

Bet Tzedek seeks a passionate and resourceful attorney to join our team to protect home ownership and equity through a combination of direct representation, policy advocacy, and education and outreach efforts. The Homeowner Protection Staff Attorney will engage in direct client services and litigation under the supervision of the Directing Attorney related to real estate fraud, foreclosure, the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, predatory lending, and other homeowner protection issues, with a particular focus on the financial stability of older adults and homeowners of color. In addition, the attorney will coordinate and conduct outreach presentations and clinics for community groups and stakeholders. This position is offered on a short-term basis with a view to extend based on funding availability.

This position is eligible for Bet Tzedek Legal Services’ hybrid/remote workplace designation. While the primary workplace is Bet Tzedek’s offices, at the discretion of the immediate supervisor, the employee may be permitted to work remotely or may be required to work in other locations depending on workload/business obligation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Under the supervision of a manager, conduct all phases of civil litigation, including fact investigation, settlement negotiations, drafting pleadings, discovery, law and motion practice, trials and appeals.
• Provide direct client services to investigate and evaluate homeowner protection cases for all available legal, administrative, and other remedies. This involves working with Directing Attorney, attorneys, and support staff to conduct client intake, provide advice and counsel, brief/limited services, and full-scope representation, and participate in case review.
• Conduct community education and outreach presentations to partners and homeowners, particularly for older adults and homeowners of color.
• Work with Pro Bono Department to develop pro bono and volunteer opportunities for the program.
• Work with Impact Advocacy team to develop legislative and regulatory proposals that relate to project work.
• Communicate effectively with partner organizations, stakeholders, and the media about project work.
• Case management and grant compliance (opening and closing cases, coding data, timekeeping, case reviews, etc).
• Other tasks as assigned by Directing Attorney to meet project goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active member of the California State Bar in good standing or Registered Legal Services Attorney (required).
• Minimum one (1) year of experience practicing law (preferred);
• Experience in foreclosure prevention, real estate homeowner fraud, debtor’s rights, elder financial abuse, probate and/or consumer protection litigation (strongly preferred);
• Spanish language fluency (preferred);
• Willingness to train and work with volunteer attorneys and students (required);
• Exceptionally organized, self-motivated, and goal-oriented (required);
• Willingness and ability to travel independently within Los Angeles County for court appearances, client visits and other in-person duties of role (required/valid California drivers license preferred);
• Demonstrated commitment to Bet Tzedek’s mission to provide free legal services to those who need them most (required);
• Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in performance of job duties (required).

BENEFITS PACKAGE:

Bet Tzedek offers an excellent benefits package in addition to competitive salaries. These benefits currently include:

• A generous number of paid holidays (up to 21 per year), vacation (up to 20, depending on number of years with agency), and sick days (up to 45) annually.
• A generous number of paid holidays, vacation, and sick days annually.
• Personal and floating holidays
• Compensatory time for exempt employees.
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave (after 1 year of employment.)
• Various paid leaves
• Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic and acupuncture coverage for employees and dependents, with office visit co-pay reimbursement for HMO enrollees.
• Life/accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, long-term disability insurance, and
• Employee Assistance Plan.
• Voluntary (employee-contributed) life/AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital confinement, and pet insurance.
• Employee-contributed 401(k) plan.
• Employee-contributed 403(b) plan.
• Healthcare and childcare flexible spending accounts.
• Commuter transit and/or parking benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Email letter of interest, resume, and writing sample to bettzedek.85.24C@applynow.io, subject: “Staff Attorney, Homeowner Protection Team.” Please, no phone calls.

Note: All positions are subject to funding; ongoing funding or employment cannot be assured.

Bet Tzedek is a unionized environment. Our salary range for unionized positions reflects our agreed upon step placement system, and the final offer extended to candidates is based on an internal equity review and candidates’ relevant experience, skills, background, and bar date, if applicable.

To best serve our communities Bet Tzedek seeks a diverse staff with cultural competency reflecting our client populations. We strongly

encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities and historically oppressed groups to apply.