Staff Attorney/Sr. Staff Attorney - Tenant Law Center

Are you a legal advocate looking to make a tangible difference? Join our team and earn up to $3,000 hiring bonus!

CCS is looking to hire a dedicated legal professional to join our Tenant Law Center team. This position will be filled at either the Staff or Senior level, depending on the candidate's experience. 

The Tenant Law Center (TLC) is a homelessness prevention program that offers free legal assistance to qualifying low-income households in the City of Seattle and limited services throughout King County with matters related to eviction, subsidy termination, landlord/tenant issues, and credit issues related to past tenancies.

You will participate in providing legal assistance, ranging from counsel and advice to full representation, to people at risk of losing their housing, facing housing instability issues, or who need assistance addressing issues from previous tenancies that impact their ability to obtain housing and will report to Directing Attorney. 

• →Client Representation: Represent low-income tenants in negotiation and litigation; provide ongoing representation for eviction notices or subsidy terminations; and perform all duties in compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• →Caseload Management: Maintain thorough case notes in Legal Server; track deadlines; participate in screenings/referrals; and engage in regular case reviews with the Directing Attorney.
• →Training & Outreach: Respond to inquiries from community partners; develop and present trainings for client groups; and attend relevant task force meetings.
• →Community Advocacy: Participate in legislative hearings, stakeholder meetings, and work groups to increase tenant rights and protections.

• Developing expertise in landlord-tenant and subsidized housing law.
• Supervise paralegals/interns on assigned cases and 3-6 hours a week on the intake line.
• Assist with training new attorneys as needed.
• Focuses primarily on direct client advocacy and intake legal advice.

• Utilizing existing expertise to handle complex cases and debt barriers.
• Supervise support staff across assigned cases and mentor new attorneys on strategy.
• Actively participate in recruitment, selection, and institutional procedures.

• Active Washington State Bar Membership.
• Demonstrated commitment to serve low-income populations.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations. 
• Understanding of systemic inequality and commitment to striving toward race equity.
• Experience with Legal Server or other legal case management database software.
• Demonstrated commitment to race equity work.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team. 
• Ability to travel within King County; must have valid driver’s license, insurance, and access to reliable transportation
• Support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services. 
• Support and contribute to a creative, collaborative and respectful environment that promotes teamwork. 

• One-year experience as an attorney or Rule 9 intern representing tenants in eviction matters. 
• Fluency in another language common to the community served. 
• Experience with Legal Server or other legal case management database software. 

• Four (4) years of experience representing low-income populations.
• Two (2) years of experience supervising attorneys, volunteers, law students, and paralegals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead staff and manage complex legal workflows within a multi-cultural context.
• Four (4) years of specific experience in housing cases; fluency in a community language.
• Experience with Legal Server or other legal case management database software.

If you are looking for meaningful work, make a tangible difference, and drive positive change, find out more at: www.ccsww.org

For consideration: Please attach/upload a cover letter, resume, and writing sample of no more than 10 pages along with completing the online CCS application. This position will remain open until filled.

Note to Internal Candidates: HR reviews internal compensation and determines any increase based on their experience and also agency internal equity factors.

Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please let us know if you need special accommodations to apply or interview for this position.