Housing Attorney (Contract)
Part-Time, Remote

Open Door Legal is hiring a remote housing attorney contractor to strengthen Open Door Legal’s capacity to represent and assist low-income persons, especially BIPOC populations, and individuals in jeopardy of losing their housing. Open Door Legal works in specific districts of San Francisco but this role can be filed by anyone who is liscensed to practice law in California as it is a remote and flexible hours temporary contractor position.

In this position, you will be pursuing affirmative civil cases against negligent or malicious landlords, defending subsidies through advocacy and at hearings, sealing records regarding prior Unlawful Detainer judgments, and advocating for other tenant’s rights in local and federal forums. The housing team is currently made up of five attorneys and one paralegal. You will report directly to the Managing Housing Attorney.

Responsibilities:

• Embrace and embody our mission of universal access to civil legal aid and ensure that everyone in our service area with a viable housing problem gets appropriate help, including legal representation.
• Own 3-5 cases in active litigation, and 10 cases requiring various administrative and/or advocacy assistance like demand letters
• Represent clients at rent board hearings, San Francisco Housing Authority administrative hearings, grievance hearings with subsidized housing providers, mediations with the Conflict Intervention Service, and Department of Fair Employment and Housing meditations to improve clients’ living conditions.
• Advise on proper small claims defense and affirmative small claims case initiations, and appear to represent clients at small claims appeal hearings (namely due to rent collection attempts).
• Perform housing law intakes virtually.
• Provide services and support to our low-income clients with sensitivity and awareness to cultural, socio-economic, and disability differences. Keep a high rating in the client feedback survey.
• Embrace and embody our values of teamwork, grit, caring, passionate, and dynamic.

Requirements:

• Membership in good standing with the California State Bar. Applicants without active California bar membership will not be considered. However, those without a license are encouraged to apply to volunteer with us at opendoorlegal.org/volunteer.
• San Francisco Tenant knowledge and experience (can be internships).

Details of the Contract Role:

- Hourly rate is flexible up to $6000/month. Payment will be monthly after invoices are received. We will provide you a 1099.

-Remote with flexible hours but some set availability required for recurring video intakes that take place during 10 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday PST will be needed. Total hourly work commitment is flexible up to 40 hours/week.

-Contractors are not eligible for any ODL benefits.

-This is a temporary, month to month contract.

-Position will be filed with the first qualified candidate in which a payment arrangement can be agreed upon. You will be expected to start work within 3 days of signing of the contract.