Staff Attorney II - Housing Services

About the role

This position helps support HACLA as the largest provider of affordable housing in Southern California. Under supervision, the staff attorney II works closely with HACLA’s Legal Department to provide the Housing Services Department and/or others with legal services associated with, but not limited to, full unlawful detainer services, staff training, and legal advice as it pertains to Landlord-Tenant, Fair Housing, Reasonable Accommodation, and Public Housing laws, both federal and State.

Responsibilities

• Commence and complete unlawful detainers from receipt of case to resolution, including serving notices to vacate, filing and serving complaints, motions, responsive documents and appearance at trials and/or other hearings.
• Oversee outside counsel related to any unlawful detainer services they may be providing.
• Initiate, develop, recommend, and implement policies, procedures, and goals related to the unlawful detainer process, Fair Housing, Reasonable Accommodation, and Public Housing laws.
• Review sections of the Agency Plan relevant to Public Housing, including the Public Housing Admission & Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP), on an annual basis, and as needed, to provide recommended changes to ensure compliance with evolving legal and regulatory needs and emerging best practices in public housing.
• Provide training to the Housing Services Department and to other HACLA employees regarding relevant laws, policies, and best practices.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, fraud investigators, the Los Angeles Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies.
• Coordinate unlawful detainer activities with other Legal Department staff and train management staff to ensure prompt and proper unlawful detainer actions.
• Prepare and present reports on department's activities as requested.
• Advise and assist Housing Service staff in matters of Landlord Tenant, Fair Housing, Reasonable Accommodation and Public Housing Law.
• Advises the Housing Services Department on prudent risk management practices to help lower its legal exposure, in the effective and efficient resolution of particularly complex tenant complaints, and in professionally responding to tenant advocates and members of the media.
• Provides legal opinions on unlawful detainers, fair housing, and public housing issues as required, including but not limited to formal written opinions, under supervisory review.
• Reviews all federal, state, and local laws and legal requirements relating to the unlawful detainer process and resident leases and recommends changes to ensure compliance.
• Provides guidance as to new and emerging legislation that may impact public housing, including but limited to revisions to unlawful detainer law.
• May assist in other legal matters, including legal research, and other matters affecting the Housing Authority including civil litigation as directed.

Requirements

• Member in good standing of the California State bar.
• Licensed to practice law in California.
• Three (3) years of litigation experience.

Qualifications

• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to lead and multi-task.
• Manage a large volume of cases.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work with tenant advocacy groups and other third parties.

Skills

• Trial experience with unlawful detainer litigation experience is desired.

Benefits

HACLA provides a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Short-Term Disability/Long-Term Disability/Mandatory Life
• Pension Plan
• General Leave/Holidays/PTO
• Additional Optional Benefits
• Medical/Dental/Vision Plan
• Annual leave accruals vary depending on the type of job/position and years of service.
• Opportunity to earn up to 160 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) for eligible exempt employees as comp time per calendar year.
• Pre-Tax Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
• Flexible Spending Account Options
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Partial Telework Program
• Kaiser Medical Insurance - 50% employer covered medical through Kaiser Permanente if working 30 hours or more per week.
• Paid Sick Time - At least 40 hours or 5 days of sick leave after 90 days of employment.

Pay

Candidates can expect to be hired within the 8 step salary range of $139,776.00 to $171,932.80.

Schedule

The anticipated hiring pay scale is based on the 8 step salary range of $139,776.00 to $171,932.80.