Staff Attorney, Housing

Description

Who We Are 

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (“Law Foundation”) is dedicated to advancing the rights of historically excluded individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County. Through our legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach, we empower over 14,000 individuals and families each year. Our Housing, Children & Youth, Health and Pro Bono Programs use legal advocacy as a catalyst for social change, creating innovative solutions to the legal challenges facing low-income communities in our region. With a dedicated team of over 85 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. Learn more at https://www.lawfoundation.org/ . 

The Opportunity 

We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Staff Attorney to join our Housing Program at Law Foundation. The Housing Program is dedicated to the prevention of displacement of low-income individuals and communities of color through both direct legal services, including unlawful detainer defense, and system change work, including impact litigation and policy advocacy. 

Requirements

Job Requirements 

• Applicants must be current members in good standing with the California State Bar. 
• Experience with a high-volume caseload including experience representing tenants in unlawful detainer actions 
• Ability to identify, investigate and resolve client problems 
• Ability to analyze, write and present ideas and legal concepts clearly and concisely 
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and perform well under pressure in a fast-paced environment 
• Ability to work independently and effectively work as a part of a team, both internal and external to the Law Foundation 
• Experience in policy advocacy and/or organizing 
• Experience in community lawyering 
• Connections to and experience working with diverse populations, including communities of color and people living with disabilities 
• Ability to interact compassionately and effectively with individuals in crisis 
• Passion for social justice and race equity, as well as a desire to provide assistance to underserved populations 
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills 
• Bilingual in English and Spanish or Vietnamese is preferred 
• Committed to racial equity, inclusion and belonging and able recognize the ways that race, and other identities intersect in the work, especially for communities we serve 
• Awareness of how race and other identities shape our work with communities; commitment to
  inclusion and belonging. 
• Alignment with the mission and values of LFSV. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 or similar, with openness to learning new tools 

What We Offer 

This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to Supervising Attorney. The annual salary range for this role is $81,000 to $109,000. 

We are committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and professional development of our team members. To that end, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefit package, which includes: 

• 19 paid holidays per year 
• 3-5 weeks of vacation per year 
• 12 days of sick leave per year 
• Up to 6 months of parental leave 
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums 
• Free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents through our Employee Assistance Program 
• A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions 
• A sabbatical after 5 years of employment 
• An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job 
• An annual budget for professional development 
• Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees 
• The flexibility to work a hybrid schedule 
• An office building that offers a fully equipped gym, outdoor terrace, convenient on-site parking, bike storage, lounge areas, and 24/7 security 

Workplace Expectations 

Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace. Please note that the Staff Attorney may be expected to work in our San Jose office a minimum of 2 days/week.   

Employees must be California State residents. Due to logistical challenges regarding taxes, insurance, and time zones, we are not able to consider staff in other states at this time. 

Working At Law Foundation 

Law Foundation is a unionized workplace, and members of the bargaining unit are represented by SEIU Local 521. This position is part of the bargaining unit.  

Additionally, Law Foundation is strongly committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for our staff, volunteers, clients, and partners. To achieve this goal, the Law Foundation actively works to improve communications, community engagement, systems and structures, and office culture to create an inclusive and respectful workplace where differences are acknowledged and valued. 

We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. Law Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal legal system, or any other basis prohibited by law. 

Application Process 

Application materials must include: 

• A cover letter that addresses the following: How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity among our staff? 
• A resume 
• Contact information for three professional references. We will always ask for your consent and inform you before contacting any of your references.  

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority review will be given to applications received by 1/12/26. Please note that our interview process includes interviewing by phone, video, and/or in-person. 

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team that values people, trust, accountability, creativity, joy, and fun, we would love to hear from you! 

Equal Opportunity Employment 

The Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer.  We encourage people of color, womxn, people living with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to apply.  It is the policy of the Law Foundation to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status.  The Law Foundation will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. 

ADA Accessible Facility - Equal Opportunity Employer - Drug-Free Workplace