About Western Center on Law and Poverty
Western Center on Law & Poverty seeks to eliminate poverty and advance racial and economic justice by dismantling and transforming systems so all communities in California can thrive. Western Center applies a racial equity lens to analyzing poverty issues and brings about system‐wide change through impact litigation, legislative, policy and administrative advocacy at the state and federal level, and support for legal services and community‐based organizations. With offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Oakland, we are California’s largest legal services support center. For more information, please visit our website: www.wclp.org.
Position Summary
Western Center offers an opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic advocate to join our successful and dedicated team to protect and expand the housing rights of Californians experiencing deep poverty and homelessness, tackle discrimination existing in housing systems and programs, and monitor the implementation of state-level programs. Among the projects intended for this position, the successful candidate will work to mitigate and reduce barriers imposed by illegal land use policies; support implementation of policies that protect the rights of vulnerable and chronically homeless neighbors through impact litigation and administrative advocacy; and support legal services and other advocates’ responses to governmental attempts to criminalize poverty and homelessness or otherwise target the unhoused.
We seek a team member who has experience practicing in diverse forums, thrives in a collegial and dynamic team environment, can initiate complex projects and work independently as well as on a team, and is committed to addressing race-based inequities. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of fighting for the rights of marginalized low-income people and demonstrate that they are prepared to advocate for statewide tenant protections and just land use policies that further fair housing and combat segregation.
Accordingly, the ideal candidate will have experience in at least one of the following areas: landlord-tenant, fair housing, land use, federal and state housing programs, tax policies that effect housing production, homelessness, health and safety, building codes and enforcement, and/or mobile home advocacy. It is essential that the candidate understand the intersection of these issues with racial justice and each other.
This position can be based in any of the Western Center offices.
Responsibilities
• Identify, initiate, conduct, and maintain a caseload of complex affirmative litigation.
• Advance favorable administrative, regulatory, and policy changes at the local, county, state, and federal levels. Oppose policy changes with potentially negative impacts.
• Support the implementation of existing Los Angeles County and statewide housing and homelessness policies that serve vulnerable and chronically homeless neighbors.
• Collaborate with housing team members to identify and develop strategies to ensure that every person has a healthy, affordable, and stable place to live.
• Train and provide technical assistance to Los Angeles County and California housing practitioners and nonprofit partners on the implications of recent interpretations of constitutional law and the tools available to address the criminalization of homelessness.
• Work with Sacramento policy advocates to help draft, analyze, and implement legislation, and to oppose harmful legislative proposals.
• Provide research and advocacy support through consultation, technical assistance, publications, training, and education, particularly to legal services organizations.
• Create and disseminate policy analysis and educational materials to our partners.
• Engage with community groups and coalitions of stakeholders. Represent WCLP in various coalitions and boards. Plan and facilitate regional housing policy meetings with advocates.
• Respond to requests for information from public officials, agencies, and the media.
• The role requires regular in-state travel, including overnight travel.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
Compensation
Salary is very competitive and commensurate with experience. We provide a generous benefits package, including leave policies, vacation, and December holiday office closure at full pay. We provide numerous opportunities and support to ensure our staff can grow and develop their professional skills. The salary range begins at $100,000 and increases based on experience.
Qualifications
• A commitment to the mission of Western Center, available at www.wclp.org.
• A minimum of nine years’ experience (for Senior Attorney position) or a minimum of five years’ experience (for Staff Attorney position) in litigation or policy advocacy, preferably in California.
• Admitted to practice law in California or willingness to take next California Bar Exam.
• Ability to think creatively, be strategic, and exercise good judgment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships.
• Ability to develop and work in diverse coalitions in which participants may have multiple interests.
• Ability to work in a team setting but independent enough to be able to initiate projects and litigation and implement team objectives effectively outside the team setting.
• Ability to work under time pressure.
• Exemplary ethical standards.
Preferred Qualifications
• Affirmative litigation expertise or experience demonstrating capacity to develop affirmative litigation expertise.
• Experience working with or coming from historically marginalized communities.
• Experience with community-based organizations or nonprofit legal services agencies.
• A deep understanding of and passion for housing, racial justice, and anti-poverty advocacy.
• Knowledge and understanding of California housing, racial justice, and anti-poverty policy.
Please email a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and list of at least 3 professional references to [email protected]. In your cover letter, please explain how your personal and/or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to a work environment with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. At least one of the writing samples should be a brief or other document demonstrating your ability to analyze and persuade a judge or other decision-maker on a challenging legal issue. Please also specify whether the writing samples are solely your own work product, or, if not, the extent to which they were edited. Applications received by January 31, 2025, will receive priority, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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