Senior Staff Attorney - Housing Services at Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles – Los Angeles, California

DEFINITION: This individual serves as the lead attorney advising the Housing Services Department, under the direction of the General Counsel. The Senior Staff Attorney may supervise other attorneys advising the Housing Services Department as well as related support staff. They will provide the Housing Services Department with legal services as may be requested by the Director of Housing Services and others including, but not limited to, full eviction service, staff training, and legal advice as it pertains to landlord-tenant, Fair Housing, reasonable accommodation and public housing laws, both federal and state. They may also be required to support Assisted Housing (previously Section 8) Program operations including program administration, fraud investigations, assistance with administrative hearings, and respond to writs of mandate.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: This classification differs from the Staff Attorney I and Staff Attorney II positions in the lead management responsibilities of the position. This class is distinguished from other Senior Staff Attorney classifications by its essential functions, including but not limited to training others regarding relevant provisions of laws, policies, and best practices as they relate to HACLA and its legal services. The Senior Staff Attorney assists the General Counsel in planning, directing, organizing and reviewing the service provided to the Housing Services Department.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Manages own caseload including commencing and completing evictions 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.
Oversees outside counsel to ensure client goals are realized and that litigation is being handled efficiently and effectively.
Assists the Housing Services Department in initiating, developing, recommending, and implementing policies, procedures, and goals related to the eviction process, Fair Housing, reasonable accommodations, and public housing laws.
Reviews 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.
Provides training to the Housing Services Department and to other HACLA employees regarding relevant laws, policies, and best practices.
Provides guidance documents to Housing Services Department staff to assist them in dealing with law enforcement and other third parties.
Must be able to develop and maintain positive working relationship/liaison with staff, fraud investigators, the Los Angeles Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies.
Coordinates eviction activities with other Legal Department staff and trains management staff to ensure prompt and proper eviction actions; oversees Legal Department support staff.
Prepares and presents reports on department's activities as requested.
Advises and assists Housing Service staff in matters of landlord tenant, Fair Housing, reasonable accommodations, 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 eviction-related, 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 eviction 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.
Assists Section 8 and other subsidized program operations as may be needed from time to time including program administration, best practices, policy updates, and assistance with administrative hearings including responding to writs of mandate.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Requirements:
Member in good standing of the California State bar. Five (5) years of litigation experience as an attorney, with at least three (3) years in the area of landlord/tenant (unlawful detainer) litigation. Must be licensed to practice law in California. Candidate must also possess:

• 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.

License Required: Must be a member of the California Bar in good standing. Must also possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License at time of appointment.
Desirability: Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills desirable.