Managing Attorney - Fair Housing Litigation

Pine Tree Legal Assistance
Managing Attorney - Fair Housing Litigation
Location: Portland, Lewiston, Augusta or Bangor office; Hybrid remote

The mission of the Fair Housing Unit at Pine Tree Legal Assistance is to: 1) challenge and eliminate housing discrimination; 2) promote policies that foster open, accessible, and inclusive communities; and 3) strengthen the enforcement of local, state, and federal fair housing laws. The Fair Housing Unit is responsible for enforcement of national and most state fair housing laws through direct representation of low-income Maine residents who have experienced violations of their rights as protected class members; through community engagement, education, and partnership; and through systemic testing.

Through enforcement actions, the Unit provides direct representation in the administrative complaint process through the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and/or the Maine Human Rights Commission. The Unit is also expected to provide direct representation in court on a regular basis in the Maine State District Court, the Superior Court, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and/or Maine Federal District Court. While many cases are resolved in the administrative summary proceedings and can be completed with 10 to 15 hours of legal work time, others present more complex issues and require lengthier engagement, including through affirmative litigation.

In addition, the Unit provides mentorship and support for the work of paralegals and attorneys in other units of PTLA, both in the provision of limited legal assistance and in other work that advances the purpose and intent of the Fair Housing Unit.

The Unit is also responsible for community engagement, networking, and education to strengthen Pine Tree’s reputation and increase individual access to legal services, consistent with other work and time commitments.

Finally, the Unit is engaged in systemic work that employs testing strategies executed by the testing coordinator, consistent with the best practices for fair housing testing used by fair housing enforcement agencies across the United States.

The managing attorney role at Pine Tree is a recognized leadership position within the program, and reports to, and is supervised by, a Senior Manager. Managing attorneys are responsible for both the quality and extent of legal work undertaken by their office or project; for the performance of the staff who are assigned to that office or project; and for meeting Unit goals and grant requirements. As a supervisor, the managing attorney is also expected to model a culture of teamwork and collaboration among staff and volunteers that fosters strong program services within their office or project.

The managing attorney must be an active and engaged member of Pine Tree’s management team and committed to supporting their colleagues around the program. Management responsibilities are currently anticipated to require approximately 15 hours per week in this position. The managing attorney for the Fair Housing Unit is also expected to manage a case load involving extended and complex litigation, including by supervising the work of other staff and by serving as both lead counsel and co-counsel on the managing attorney’s own cases. The managing attorney’s case load will be determined in light of the totality of their responsibilities, and in consultation with their supervisor and/or the Executive Director.

The ideal candidate will have:

- A demonstrated commitment to the provision of high-quality legal service within their own work and program wide;
- Enthusiasm for communicating their passion for and commitment to the work to colleagues, employees, and external stakeholders;
- A demonstrated understanding of complex litigation;
- At least five years of litigation experience in state and federal court is preferred, but not required;
- The ability to teach the practice of law, litigation skills
- Experience motivating and managing staff and/or volunteers;
- A demonstrated commitment to strengthening the quality and reputation of the program as a statewide legal aid provider;
- A demonstrated commitment to Pine Tree’s core values and willingness to help staff improve their work across time;
- Strong time management, organizational and communication skills.

General work expectations as a manager:

- Support Unit staff compliance with Pine Tree’s written Standards of Practices and other relevant ethical and professional responsibilities;
- Support Pine Tree’s administrative staff in ensuring local office/Unit/project compliance with administrative requests
- Model the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct and take personal responsibility for one’s actions;
- Ensure that staff treat all clients and potential clients with respect and professionalism and maintain a professional demeanor with outside agencies and groups, opposing parties, opposing counsel, and other participants in the justice system;
- Contribute to and maintain Pine Tree’s high standards for excellence, support colleagues in their work, and otherwise act in accordance with Pine Tree’s Statement of Core Values

The Fair Housing Litigation and Managing Attorney at Pine Tree must be a licensed Maine attorney or licensed to practice in another jurisdiction and eligible for Maine licensure under Maine Bar Admission Rule 11(c). with recent extended litigation experience in state and federal courts and experience in leadership roles within the program or the advocacy and legal communities. Applicant must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the state of Maine. This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for PTLA managing attorneys is currently $79,560 - $116,560, depending on experience.

In addition, PTLA is proud to offer the following:
Employer-paid health insurance with a generous HRA contribution, generous health insurance opt-out benefit, employer-paid dental insurance, employer-paid life and disability insurance, and an annual contribution to a 403(b)-retirement plan. Other voluntary options include vision and expanded life insurance. Staff enjoy 12 paid holidays, paid parental leave, generous vacation, floating holidays, and sick leave.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to employing and supporting individuals who are passionate about social justice and have relevant work experience, regardless of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, religion, familial status or experience with poverty, receipt of public assistance, or homelessness