Supervising Attorney (Disaster Legal Services) – Pro Bono Workgroup

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!

---

At a glance

---

The Supervising Attorney will be part of the Pro Bono Disaster Legal Services Team. The Supervising Attorney will oversee a team of 3 or more staff members, including attorneys and admin staff, on a variety of disaster relief clinics, cases, projects and impact litigation with other LAFLA management, staff, and volunteers to provide legal services to affected clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Help lead substantive disaster legal services practice area by identifying priority cases, assigning work to best meet the legal needs of community members affected by the wildfire disaster, and improving service delivery with the input of the Pro Bono Team;
• Supervise attorneys and staff in disaster response legal work;
• Conduct regular case reviews for disaster staff to ensure that legal services provided are consistent with LAFLA’s priorities, policies and procedures, and that they maximize office resources to provide the highest quality client service;
• Supervise timekeeping, conduct performance evaluations, and implement performance standards of disaster response staff;
• Work closely with other LAFLA staff and pro bono partners on disaster related clinics, cases and projects;
• Provide disaster legal services related to FEMA, housing, including but not limited to landlord-tenant problems, mortgage and homeownership issues, home repair contracts and property insurance claims;
• Provide disaster legal services related to consumer protection and public assistance in areas such as rental price gouging, and FEMA, SBA, Unemployment and other public benefits;
• Litigate cases in various courthouses in Los Angeles County as required;
• Represent clients at administrative hearings and writs as required;
• Work on disaster-related policy issues with community-based organizations, legal services providers, and pro bono partners;
• Participate in substantive training and resource development;
• Help manage grant compliance;
• Provide mentorship and support to pro bono attorneys working on disaster related cases assigned by LAFLA; and
• Other duties to support the Pro Bono Team.

• Active membership in the California State Bar.
• Minimum four (4) to seven (7) years of experience in the legal practice of law, including experience in lawyering skills, including case load management, legal research, writing, negotiations, litigation and discovery techniques, trial work and appellate work in both state and federal courts;
• Willingness to take on a legal services generalist role and assume responsibility quickly;
• Required Knowledge in FEMA appeals, Disaster SBA loans, and other related core disaster legal issues.
• Prior experience in the areas of consumer protection, public benefits, housing law, and/or disaster response a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to supervise the legal work of others engaged in direct legal services, policy advocacy, litigation, and impact cases;
• Knowledge of basic principles of administration and management;
• Previous experience in a poverty legal services program preferred; Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail;
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the proven ability to relate to diverse individuals with respect and humility on a consistent basis;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse staff and partners, including court and judicial staff, volunteers, and community-based organizations;
• Willingness to work beyond a minimum 7.5-hour workday, including evening and weekend meetings and events, and workweeks in excess of 37 hours when caseload or other obligations so necessitate.

Apply now