Staff Attorney

About the Role

SeniorLAW Center is a dynamic nonprofit public interest legal services organization dedicated to seeking justice for older people through legal representation, education, and advocacy. As the only nonprofit in Pennsylvania wholly focused on providing legal assistance to older persons, we prioritize services for those who are low-income, cultural and racial minorities, disabled, victims of crime and family violence, and other vulnerable populations. The Staff Attorney, Housing Justice will provide comprehensive legal services, direct representation, community engagement, and systemic advocacy to prevent displacement and preserve housing stability for older adults.

Responsibilities

• Handle all aspects of client representation, including:
  • Screening and interviewing walk-in and/or emergency clients
  • Conducting client interviews by telephone or in person to assess legal needs
  • Filing necessary court documents and preparing case strategies
  • Preparing for and attending all court appearances
  • Assessing holistic legal needs of clients and making internal/external referrals
  • Providing technical assistance to staff and volunteer attorneys
  • Managing case files and maintaining the case management database
  • Conducting home visits for frail or homebound clients
  • Utilizing interpretation services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) older adults
  • Providing information and referrals to other resources and supportive services
• Community Outreach and Education:
  • Represent SeniorLAW Center at professional committees/coalitions related to housing
  • Develop and present legal education workshops
  • Create educational materials and resources for older tenants, homeowners, and professionals
  • Plan, organize, and attend community outreach and tabling events
  • Assist with housing-focused community clinics
  • Update website, E-News, and other communication tools with project-related information
• Project-Based Duties:
  • Provide civil legal assistance to older tenants and homeowners, including:
    • Representing tenants in eviction, ejectment, and illegal lockout matters
    • Filing preliminary injunctions or other pleadings challenging illegal lockouts
    • Representation in administrative hearings for public or subsidized housing tenants
    • Representing tenants in complaints before the Philadelphia Fair Housing Commission
  • Homeownership Preservation:
    • Represent homeowners in mortgage foreclosure diversion and litigation
    • Resolve tangled title issues through probate, estate administration, and deed preparation
    • Draft wills and planning documents to stabilize housing ownership
    • Provide advice and brief services on homeownership-related legal issues
  • Systemic Advocacy:
    • Identify systemic problems affecting older tenants and homeowners and collaborate with local, statewide, and national partners to develop solutions
• Additional Responsibilities:
  • Participate in staff and legal team meetings
  • Provide support to colleagues agency-wide as needed
  • Assist with onboarding new staff
  • Follow all SeniorLAW Center’s personnel and legal policies and procedures
  • Demonstrate commitment to SeniorLAW Center’s mission and values
  • Participate in organizational culture and philanthropic events
  • Assist with quality control, case management data collection, and reporting

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree
• Active member of the Pennsylvania Bar in good standing
• Courtroom experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in housing law (tenant or homeownership)
• Experience with foreclosure, title, estate, or subsidy-related matters
• Experience working with older adults or vulnerable populations
• Second language proficiency

Skills

• Strong litigation, advocacy, and negotiation skills
• Excellent writing, communication, and organizational abilities
• Cultural competence and client-centered approach
• Self-starter with flexibility and sound judgment
• Ability to manage a diverse, high-volume caseload

Work Conditions

This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment. The role may require occasional physical demands, including standing, walking, using hands to operate objects, reaching, sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, talking, hearing, and lifting objects up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Benefits

• Fully paid health and dental insurance for employees
• Long- and short-term disability insurance
• 401k retirement plan
• Flexible spending plan
• Generous holidays and leave time (valued at over $20,000)

Pay

Salary range starts at $66,000, commensurate with years of experience and SeniorLAW Center’s salary structure.

SeniorLAW Center has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy for all staff and volunteers.