Job Description
LASSD is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected status.
Supervising Attorney - Housing
Organization: Legal Aid Society of San Diego Job Title: Supervising Attorney - Housing Experience: 3 years as a practicing attorney Salary: $90,000 - $135,000 per year
Position Summary:
The Supervising Attorney - Housing will work closely with the Housing Managing Attorney to represent clients in all phases of unlawful detainer litigation and supervise, advise, and co-counsel with lesser experienced staff attorneys in housing and landlord-tenant issues. This position is responsible for administrative functions and grant requirements, as well as developing and implementing strategies to address systemic barriers for our client community.
About the Organization:
Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD) has been providing legal services to low-income individuals in San Diego County since 1953. Our mission is to strengthen our communities by empowering our clients to access and participate in the legal, governmental, and social systems to fight against poverty and injustice. We are dedicated to providing equal access to justice for all San Diegans.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assist the Housing Managing Attorney in supervising a team of staff attorneys, advocates, support staff, and volunteers. • Represent clients in all phases of litigation and pre-litigation matters. • Train and mentor less experienced attorneys in trial preparation, drafting pleadings, discovery, negotiation, research, and case strategy. • Train and supervise advocates in administrative matters and proceedings. • Evaluate and create professional development plans for staff. • Perform team administrative duties in a timely and accurate manner. • Review closed cases to ensure compliance with grant requirements. • Maintain data, records, and case files in compliance with funding and programmatic requirements. • Manage grant projects and monitor productivity. • Develop and implement strategies to address systemic barriers for our client community. • Engage in community outreach and education. • Develop positive relationships with the court and partner organizations. • Ensure compliance with all program and grant requirements. • Other tasks as assigned.
Requirements:
Qualifications:
• Must be a member of the California Bar. • Minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a practicing attorney, with at least two (2) years in civil poverty law or public interest law. • Demonstrated capabilities in litigation, including drafting pleadings, discovery, depositions, negotiation, and trial experience. • Desire and demonstrated capacity to train and mentor lesser experienced attorneys. • Experience working with and representing low-income communities. • Experience managing others in a regulated climate. • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups. • Ability to support team efforts and strategize to meet grant requirements. • High level of attention to detail. • Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction. • Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish preferred. • Knowledge of administrative proceedings. • Knowledge of housing law, including landlord-tenant issues, unlawful detainer proceedings, and administrative law related to subsidized housing. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. • Commitment to serving low-income individuals. • Ability to work successfully with people from diverse backgrounds.
Salary and Benefits:
The Supervising Attorney position is an exempt position with a salary range of $90,000 - $135,000 per year. The starting salary is $95,000. In addition, there is a bilingual pay increase of 2% for passing an oral test and 2% for passing a written test for threshold languages other than English.
LASSD offers a generous benefits package, including a 35-hour workweek, paid vacation and sick leave, 100% employer-paid medical premium, 50% employer-paid premium for dependents, dental, vision, and life benefits. Staff also have the option to participate in a 403(b) retirement plan and dependent and health flex savings accounts (FSA). LASSD has its own law school loan repayment program and is an eligible nonprofit employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Hybrid Work Environment:
LASSD has adopted a hybrid work environment, where most staff are required to work in the office part of the week and can work remotely for the remainder of the week, as long as their job duties allow. All employees are provided with LASSD computers and supplies to perform their work. LASSD has implemented and continues to explore additional technologies to make our hybrid working environment efficient and connected. Employees must be available to travel to LASSD offices and service locations throughout San Diego County as needed and in compliance with public health advisories. Applicants must reside in or near San Diego County or plan to relocate prior to their start date and must be able to commute to LASSD offices or service locations within the county. LASSD’s normal business hours are 9am-5pm, but we are open to providing flexible work schedules when feasible. LASSD reserves the right to change these policies at any time.
Diversity and Inclusion:
LASSD is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. We are a signatory to the San Diego County Bar Association’s Diversity Pledge and pledge to promote diversity through hiring, retention, promotion, and leadership. We strongly encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply. LASSD is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected status.
