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 racial and economic inequities. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of fighting for the rights of 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 at least nine years’ 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.
This position can be based in any Western Center’s Los Angeles or Oakland offices.
Responsibilities
• Identify, initiate, conduct, and maintain a caseload of complex affirmative litigation.
• 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.
• Manage and execute program activities in alignment with grant-funded deliverables, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.
• Collaborate closely with the Development Team to support grant compliance, contribute to reporting efforts, and provide program data and narrative updates for funders.
• Respond to requests for information from public officials, agencies, and the media.
• This 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.
• A commitment to the mission of Western Center, available at www.wclp.org.
• A minimum of nine years’ experience in litigation, administrative, and policy advocacy, preferably in California.
• Admitted to practice law in California.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, be strategic, and exercise good judgment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships.
• Experience in developing and working in diverse coalitions in which participants may have multiple interests.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team setting but independent enough to initiate projects and litigation and implement team objectives effectively outside the team setting.
• Experience working 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 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.
To promote racial and social justice and achieve our mission, Western Center is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace. Western Center strongly encourages applications from persons of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups whose background may contribute to effectively representing low‐income people and underserved communities. Applications received by April 30, 2025, will receive priority, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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