For over 50 years, CCLS has been representing and advocating for low-income individuals in Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties. With more than ninety (90) employees, CCLS works to provide high quality, no-cost civil legal services to low-income individuals, families, and communities—improving the wellbeing of our Valley through systems-changing advocacy, client education, and legal work that meets individual clients’ immediate needs. We also work closely with agencies and community organizations that share our commitment to support our clients in being their own agents of change. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Directing Attorney will be one of two supervisors leading the Housing Law Team, both of whom will be under the supervision of the Chief Program Officer. The Directing Attorney will provide thoughtful leadership on housing issues, including but not limited to representation of clients in unlawful detainer actions, housing conditions, and other landlord/tenant problems. The Directing Attorney will also play a role in deciding the circumstances that require policy and/or systems-change remedies. The Directing Attorney will be expected to strategize and determine the most effective tools to use in each case or issue(s) at hand – e.g., litigation, advocacy, community legal education, while maintaining an appropriate balance between the individual and the impact work. 

DUTIES

• Supervise members of a Housing team and, under the supervision of the Chief Program Officer, take principal responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day delivery of legal and advocacy services by team members;
• Ensure the provision of high quality legal and advocacy services for clients, and the effective use of time and resources by team members; 
• Oversee and assist in providing legal services and/or community education at clinics, workshops, and community events;
• Provide mentorship, training, and support to team members to improve litigation and advocacy skills;
• Evaluate work of team members, conduct case reviews, and review advocate caseloads (i.e., quality, quantity, priorities, and compliance with Legal Services Corporation (LSC), other funder requirements, along with other applicable laws and regulations);
• Assist in grant proposal writing, compliance tracking, and reporting;
• Improve team and individual team members’ advocacy skills;
• Coordinate impact litigation, and participate as a member of litigation teams;
• Collaborate as needed with other CCLS substantive legal teams;
• Work with the Pro Bono Department to engage private law firms, corporate counsel and private attorneys in co-counseling and supporting CCLS’ work;
• Engage in outreach to the client community and to community-based organizations, and participate, as appropriate, in statewide, regional, and national task forces;
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California (required); 
• Minimum five years of legal experience (required);
• Proven organizational, leadership, and management skills; 
• Litigation experience in trial courts, administrative hearings, and appeals, and willingness to develop and improve litigation or administrative advocacy skills;
• Strong written, oral and interpersonal skills;
• Collaborative, team-oriented individual able to work with colleagues and external partners;
• Ability to train, mentor, and motivate others;
• Dedicated to co-counseling with pro bono partners and volunteers;
• Ability to manage a diverse portfolio and meet critical deadlines;
• Commitment to CCLS’ mission and core values;  
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Bilingual ability preferred;
• Ability to travel as needed, proof of liability and property insurance on vehicle used.

CCLS is an equal opportunity employer: we value equity, inclusion, and diversity, across all races, cultures, classes, ages, religions, gender identities and presentations, sexual orientations, body sizes, family structures, abilities, and all categories protected by law. We encourage all interested individuals to apply. CCLS is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement.