Description

The Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide civil legal services for persons with low incomes, creating equal access to justice, and opportunities out of poverty.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Housing Staff Attorney will focus on preventing evictions and will also represent tenants in other matters related to housing which may include repair and maintenance issues, housing discrimination, retaliatory evictions, and security deposit retention. The Housing Attorney will work to address systemic barriers to reduce evictions, address housing conditions, and improve tenant access to justice.

PRIMARY DUTIES

• Provide direct representation to tenants facing eviction to prevent the loss of housing, address housing conditions, and assert fair housing rights.
• Address systemic issues such as substandard housing, self-help evictions, wrongfully withheld security deposits, evictions to enforce land sale contracts, and other matters related to rental housing.
• Participate in community outreach activities such as housing clinics.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of an accredited law school and current member of Georgia Bar.
• Experience working with persons with low incomes and a commitment to social justice.
• Working knowledge of Georgia landlord-tenant law and experience representing tenants in Georgia courts preferable.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with different audiences through public speaking, writing, partnership development, and community education events.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to perform tasks necessary to maintain a substantial active caseload of advocacy and litigation.
• Ability to analyze, write, and present ideas and legal concepts clearly and concisely.
• Willingness and ability to work as part of a team in a professional and collaborative manner.
• Computer literacy, which includes familiarity using email, Excel, Word, SharePoint, LegalServer, and other computer programs.
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid Georgia drivers license.
• Ability to speak Spanish is highly valued.

 The starting salary for Georgia-barred attorneys is $55,000 and can be higher depending upon experience and qualifications. GLSP offers excellent fringe benefits including a student loan repayment program. A resume, cover letter, and writing sample should be submitted to www.glsp.org/joinmyteam. GLSP invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice. If you have a location preference, please state that in your cover letter.

 GLSP is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Georgia Legal Services Program not to discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. GLSP values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and people who have experienced poverty or homelessness to apply. GLSP invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.