Housing Justice Project Staff Attorney

Position Location: Tacoma, WA. Full-time, Salaried, Exempt. Benefits Eligible: Yes.

About the role

Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization located in downtown Tacoma, providing free civil legal aid to low-income individuals who face legal issues. The Housing Justice Project (HJP) is a specific program of Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers, which focuses on eviction prevention and providing legal advice and counsel to indigent tenants facing landlord-tenant issues. In 2021, Washington implemented a right to counsel for indigent tenants in unlawful detainer proceedings. Tacomaprobono’s HJP facilitates the Appointed Counsel Program for Pierce County. Our office also represents indigent tenants located in several other Washington counties. Tacomaprobono’s Housing Justice Project is currently accepting applications for a Staff Attorney on an ongoing basis to fill current and potential position openings.

The mission of Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers is to combat systemic racism and other forms of discrimination by expanding access to civil legal justice. We provide free holistic legal services, including representation, advice, and education to those persons who by reason of poverty are unable to effectively access the legal system. To further this mission, Tacomaprobono develops and manages a wide variety of service delivery programs, including ongoing cooperative work with other legal aid and social service providers. Working collaboratively with these organizations, Tacomaprobono identifies and addresses legal need and barriers to access; makes volunteer, educational and support opportunities available to volunteer attorneys, paralegals and students in Pierce County; and works to remove barriers which deny justice to underserved and marginalized individuals and communities by providing efficient, effective legal services addressing both individual client legal issues and systemic issues affecting our diverse client population.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation for eligible low-income tenants in unlawful detainer cases from summons through resolution of possession
• Meet with clients, evaluate defenses, negotiate with opposing parties, prepare court briefs, and attend eviction hearings
• Self-manage a full caseload of clients in every stage of eviction litigation (caseload varies depending on eligible clients)
• Develop and maintain relationships with opposing counsel, the court, and the community
• Make referrals to other Tacomaprobono clinics and programs and other organizations to ensure low-income tenants have holistic access to legal representation and client services for all civil legal needs
• Work respectfully and effectively with low-income clients, individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds, survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, individuals from historically marginalized and oppressed communities
• Work collaboratively with other attorneys or third parties as required by case
• Participate