Housing Attorney (NO Eviction Defense) (Hybrid)

About the role

Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc. (MHAS) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of low-income adults and children with mental health disabilities. MHAS empowers clients to assert their rights, maximize autonomy, achieve equity, and secure the resources they need to thrive in our communities. The organization provides client‑centered, trauma‑informed legal services through its housing team, focusing on homelessness prevention, direct representation in conflicts with landlords, housing authorities, and nonprofit housing providers, and pre‑eviction legal services via the Stay Housed L.A. partnership. Attorneys also assist with the MHAS General Intake Line, provide legal training and technical assistance to staff and partner agencies, and engage in policy advocacy as needed. MHAS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, seeking applicants who share these values, especially people of color; women; people from low‑income backgrounds; people living with mental health and/or physical disabilities; LGBTQ+ individuals; immigrants; people affected by mass incarceration; and those from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. Lived experience with homelessness, housing insecurity, and/or economic instability is strongly valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent legal assistance through advice and counsel, research and writing, negotiation, administrative advocacy, and court advocacy.
• Identify clients’ legal issues and devise effective strategies to solve them.
• Maintain an independent caseload and support other cases as needed (Senior Attorneys handle cases requiring high legal expertise and provide training/technical assistance to staff).
• Research unfamiliar areas of law using appropriate legal research tools.
• Draft clear and concise legal documents with proper tone and language for the intended audience.
• Provide technical assistance and training to staff at other organizations and to community members.
• Supervise law clerks and collaborate with pro bono partners.
• Assist with project administration and reporting.
• Participate in policy advocacy projects as requested.
• For Senior Attorneys: provide substantive expertise, guidance, and training to the entire MHAS legal services team.
• Assist with other projects and tasks related to MHAS’ mission as identified.

Requirements

• Attorney with less than four years of experience may be considered for Staff Attorney; greater than four years of experience may be considered for Senior Attorney.
• Must reside in the Los Angeles area.

Skills

• Legal research, analysis, and writing.
• Negotiation and advocacy (administrative and court).
• Client counseling and issue identification.
• Document drafting tailored to various audiences.
• Training and technical assistance delivery.
• Supervision of law clerks and collaboration with pro bono partners.
• Policy advocacy and project administration.

Benefits

• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Employee health, dental, vision, long‑term disability, and life insurance.
• Parking/transit fare reimbursement.
• Wellness opportunities: stress‑management trainings, mindfulness sessions, group meditations, informal staff gatherings.
• Flexible work schedules considered case‑by‑case.
• Technology and office supplies provided for remote work.

Schedule

• Four‑day work week: four eight‑hour days per week; office closed on Fridays (effective January 1, 2023).
• Hybrid arrangement: most work can be done remotely with no regular weekly in‑office requirement; occasional in‑person meetings at MHAS office, partner organizations, or other locations as needed.
• Access to MHAS headquarters office as needed.