Home Preservation Fellow

Description

Change Lives and Transform Communities – Join Our Team!

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA) provides free assistance to over 175,000 individuals and families each year through innovative projects that expand access to justice. We see the law as a powerful tool for social change, and we’re looking for passionate individuals to help us fight for justice.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences, and we believe that a strong community is built through inclusivity. NLSLA is proud to foster an environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and abilities, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

About the Role
NLSLA is seeking an attorney in their first three years of practice to fill a 2-year fellowship position with our Home Preservation & Legacy Project. The Project is aimed at helping low-income homeowners preserve their homes by preventing foreclosure, providing counseling on loss mitigation, litigating homeowner fraud cases, and providing outreach and education to our client communities. The Fellow will likely also have an opportunity to partner with our Trusts & Estates and Consumer Debt &Bankruptcy practices to aid homeowners facing bankruptcy, debt, or in need of estate planning assistance.

The Fellow will be part of NLSLA’s Strategic Advocacy & Litigation for Equity (SCALE) team which works to dismantle barriers to housing and economic stability and reports to the Director of Litigation. This position is exempt and temporary.

What You’ll Do

· Host clinics at partner sites to educate and counsel low-income homeowners about the foreclosure process and loss mitigation, and where appropriate assist them with loan modification applications and provide them with resources;

· Negotiate, mediate, and litigate cases to restore homeowner titles and cases addressing equity-stripping schemes and scams;

· Provide education and outreach to mobile homeowners;

· Collaborate with Consumer Debt & Bankruptcy team and Trusts & Estates team on matters that involve homeowners, when needed;

· Assist with marshalling project-related data and outcomes to report to our funders;

· This position is designated as hybrid. Employees are required to work on-site a minimum of two (2) days per week, with the remaining time eligible for remote work as business needs allow. Specific in-office days may be set by the department or manager to support team collaboration and organizational priorities.

· Travel to NLSLA program offices, courthouses, and other locations throughout Los Angeles County may be required.

Requirements

What You’ll Need

· A J.D. from an accredited law school and an active California State Bar license. Candidates who are participating in the California State Bar's Provisional Licensure Program (PLL) and are eligible to practice under approved supervision may also be considered. Any offer of employment for a PLL candidate will be contingent upon obtaining State Bar approval prior to the start date.

· Candidates must be within three years of graduating law school.

· The ideal candidate will have at least one year of relevant legal experience.

· Exceptional research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.

· Initiative and the ability to manage time and projects independently and effectively.

· A passion for justice and vindicating the rights of those who need it most.

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, business communication platforms, and web-based case management platforms.

Bonus Points if You Have:

· Litigation experience, including propounding and responding to discovery; law and motion practice; negotiating, mediating, and trying cases;

· Knowledge of the foreclosure, loss mitigation, and loan modification processes;

· Knowledge of mobile homeowner rights and quiet title litigation;

· Consumer advocacy experience;

· Experience providing outreach and education to marginalized communities;

· Spanish fluency, due to the high number of Spanish-speaking residents in the community, or fluency in any of the other Los Angeles threshold languages, which is highly valued in our community outreach efforts.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us
At NLSLA, we believe in supporting our staff as they grow in their careers and live balanced lives. We offer:

• Competitive Salary: Starting salary between $85,000–$91,000, based on experience.
• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, 2 to 5 weeks of vacation depending on seniority, and 12 days of sick leave. Exempt employees are eligible for compensatory time in accordance with company policy.
• Comprehensive Benefits:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance with a variety of plan options.
  • Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance.
  • 403(b) retirement plan and options for voluntary contributions.
  • Monthly bilingual supplement for qualified employees. Note: Qualified employees with bilingual proficiency are expected to provide in-language assistance when feasible to support language access and in furtherance of NLSLA's mission. This expectation applies whether or not the employee receives the bilingual supplement.
  • Loan Repayment Assistance Program, which provides law school student loan repayment assistance for eligible       individuals.
• A Culture of Inclusion: We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.
• Perks: Technology reimbursement to help you stay connected and equipped to do your best work.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

NLSLA is committed to provide a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment discrimination based on each and every characteristic protected under the law and beyond.

Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, promoting, or terminating are made fairly, and are based on job-related qualities and abilities. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees. We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome.

We further expect every member of the NLSLA community to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Please note that, in limited circumstances, certain convictions may be considered incompatible with the responsibilities of specific roles, particularly where the safety and well-being of vulnerable client populations are a concern.

NLSLA’s Commitments

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging within our organization and the communities we serve. We achieve this through:

· Continuous Learning: Cultivating cultural competency and humility among staff through ongoing training, open dialogue, and self-reflection.

· Equitable Practices: Regularly reviewing and revising policies, procedures, and decision-making processes to ensure fairness and access for all.

· Strategic Resource Allocation: Directing resources towards initiatives that empower communities.

· Meaningful Community Engagement: Partnering with the communities we serve to co-create solutions and foster trust.

· A Respectful Workplace: Providing a work environment free from discrimination and where every individual is valued, heard, and respected for their unique contributions.