POSITION: Post Graduate Fellow (Housing Justice) - Eviction Defense Workgroup
LOCATION: TBD*
SALARY: $72,000k - $74,880k/ Annually plus $5,000 educational award with excellent benefits
DURATION: TWO YEARS
AVAILABILITY: August/September 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Continuous until position is filled.
Are you interested in joining an organization dedicated to increasing access to justice while addressing systemic inequities among the most vulnerable members of the Greater Los Angeles area? If yes, LAFLA is the place for you!
The Organization: LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm that protects and advances the rights of the most underserved—leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone can have access to the justice system. Celebrating 95 years of service to Los Angeles communities, LAFLA is the first and most experienced legal aid organization in Greater Los Angeles. LAFLA has more than 200 employees, including more than 100 attorneys, who provide free services and resources on a broad range of civil legal issues that impact healthy, safety, and self-sufficiency. Every year, LAFLA helps more than 100,000 people find their voice, regain control of their lives, and build a brighter future. Our unique combination of neighborhood offices, self-help centers at courthouses, and domestic violence clinics puts LAFLA on the frontlines in communities at the forefront of change. LAFLA also engages in impact litigation to help enact long-term systemic change—actively collaborating with a network of public and private partners to expand access to justice, identify needs in the communities we serve, and change laws and policies that adversely affect the underserved. For more information, please visit www.lafla.org.
The Workgroup: The Eviction Defense Center, created in 1983, is the first large-scale eviction defense program. Right to Counsel is a new project that brings much-needed eviction defense resources to tenants in Los Angeles County communities through the program Stay Housed Los Angeles, in coordination with other legal service providers and tenant organizers. The EDC team fights to preserve, defend, and protect tenancies, and advocates for a Right to Counsel for all tenants.
The Project: LAFLA is the lead contractor of Stay Housed Los Angeles, which is implementing Renters’ Right to Counsel and is comprised of dozens of legal services organizations and community-based organizations.
LAFLA is currently accepting applications for the position of Post Graduate Fellow for the Fall 2025 season.
NOTE – This position is part of a special program created using designated funds. There is no assurance of ongoing funding or employment beyond twenty four (24) months.
- Assigned location is subject to change during course of employment.
- Once barred, salary will automatically increase to $80,000k.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Awaiting results from the California State Bar Exam;
- Knowledge of landlord-tenant, housing law, and the eviction process preferred;
- Litigation experience or involvement preferred;
- Demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income persons;
- Demonstrated ability to function professionally and effectively within a highly stressful environment;
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
- Ability to work effectively with government agencies, staff, volunteers, students, attorneys, and community members;
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills; and
- Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7 hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 35 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
- Assist with litigation of eviction cases in court;
- Carry individual caseload;
- Interview and counsel clients affected by housing problems;
- Participate in clinics and other community outreach projects; and
- Other duties as assigned.
- Contribute to the organization’s DEI plan and goals (via surveys, interviews, etc), supporting all DEI initiatives and helping to promote inclusion in a thoughtful way;
- To view LAFLA’s Commitment to DEI, please go to https://lafla.org/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion-justice-at-lafla/
HOW TO APPLY Please submit a cover letter and resume online to
edcjobs@lafla.org. Include “Post Graduate Fellow-Eviction Defense” in the subject line.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD - A one-year probationary period will be required.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, marital or registered domestic partners status, or any other legally protected status.
The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process or expect to require an accommodation if hired, please contact humanresources@lafla.org.
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – LAFLA offers a diverse environment with competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, life insurance, long-term disability, long-term care insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Employees may also qualify for bilingual supplements, law student loan reimbursements, and a cell phone stipend. Please visit https://lafla.org/get-involved/careers for our salary scale for union, non-management staff.
HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE – Depending on job classifications, some LAFLA staff are working on a manager approved hybrid work schedule, with the ability to work remotely up to half the week, if preferred, after the probationary period. The successful candidate must be local and willing to work from the assigned LAFLA office.
