Lead Attorney, Tenant Advocacy Project

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area within department which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks:

The Lead Attorney for JDC’s Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) is one of several attorneys on the JDC staff reporting directly to the Director/Managing Attorney of Pro Bono Legal Services.  Each of these lead or supervising attorneys administers and coordinates a specific project.  The TAP Lead Attorney position requires a deep and specific knowledge of landlord-tenant law as well as a broad understanding of real estate law, poverty law, family law, trusts and estates, and tort and contract law. Responsibilities include: reviewing the merits of potential client casesadvocating for tenants in pre-eviction disputes with landlords, master tenants, building management, neighbors, and roommates regarding issues relating to rent, habitability, and other matters; resolving client problems and complaints; entering data; grant reporting;  collaborating with community based organizations and with other JDC projects; and conducting community outreach.

Duties and Responsibilities

• ·       Maintains a system for intake and representation of low-income clients with landlord-tenant and housing law matters
• ·       Depending on staffing, may train and supervise a Client Advocate, Volunteer, or Fellow.
• ·       Evaluates matters for purposes of issue spotting and placement
• ·       Provides ongoing legal assistance and representation to clients in pre-eviction disputes (no litigation in court, advocacy only)
• ·       Collaborates with community-based organizations to provide legal and non-legal services to low-income clients with landlord/tenant and housing issues
• ·       May place matters with volunteer attorneys
• ·       May develop and update attorney trainings and materials for trainings in landlord-tenant for volunteer attorneys
• ·       May supervise volunteer attorneys
• ·       Assists Director/Managing Attorney and Development Department staff in preparing regular proposals and reports to grant providers, funders, and other organizations that provide monetary and non-monetary support
• ·       Represents JDC at community meetings as requested by JDC’s Director/Managing Attorney of Pro Bono Legal Services or Executive Director
• ·       May prepare article for publication regarding TAP, volunteers and clients
• ·       Attends 3 Legal Advice and Referral Clinics per month, providing limited-scope consults in landlord/tenant issues
• ·       Performs own clerical work

Education & Experience Requirement

• ·        Must be a member of the California State Bar in good standing
• ·        Must have at least 5 years of landlord-tenant legal experience
• ·        Experience representing low-income clients is preferable

      Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Requirement

• ·        Knowledge of and experience in landlord-tenant law
• ·        Demonstrate consistent and effective management of projects
• ·        Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
• ·        Possess ability to make quick decisions, and good judgment  
•       Possess ability to work on several tasks simultaneously, and handle a high volume of activity
• ·        Demonstrate a measurable commitment to assisting disadvantaged communities
• ·        Bilingual skill in Spanish, Mandarin or Cantonese is preferable

Working Conditions

Offices located in downtown San Francisco.  An essential aspect of this position is to provide landlord/tenant consults at our Legal Advice and Referral Clinics, which are located offsite. Otherwise, the Lead Attorney for TAP should be in the office during normal business hours at least 2 days a week and may work remotely during business hours on other weekdays. There is significant computer and telephone use.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by applicable Local, State or Federal employment discrimination laws.