Litigation Staff Attorney

Litigation Staff Attorney

Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) works to prevent homelessness before it starts by providing compassionate, high-quality legal assistance, rental assistance, and supportive services to San Francisco tenants facing eviction or housing instability. We believe that housing is a human right, and we strive to ensure that every San Franciscan has meaningful access to justice and the resources needed to remain safely housed.

The Litigation Staff Attorney plays an important role in advancing EDC's mission by providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal services to tenants facing eviction. The Staff Attorney will provide full-scope legal representation, from advice and negotiation through trial, helping clients assert their rights and maintain stable housing. Working under the direction of the Supervising Litigation Attorney, this role is an integral part of a collaborative, mission-driven legal team that values empathy, excellence, and equity. The Staff Attorney partners closely with colleagues across EDC's programs to ensure clients receive coordinated support and holistic services.

This position is ideal for an attorney who is passionate about housing justice, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and brings a client-centered and team-oriented approach to their work.

The duties and responsibilities of the Litigation Staff Attorney include:

• Represent tenants in all phases of unlawful detainer cases, including case assessment, legal research, preparation of responsive pleadings, discovery, motions, and trial preparation.
• Advocate on behalf of tenants through negotiation, settlement discussions, and mediation with landlords and opposing counsel.
• Represent clients in court hearings, settlement conferences (including Mandatory Settlement Conferences), and trials.
• Provide limited-scope representation and frontline legal support to EDC's Clinic, RADCo, and SCA departments on a rotational basis.
• Collaborate with Senior Attorneys and Supervising Attorneys on complex matters and contribute to the professional development of junior legal staff and fellows through informal mentorship and case support.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete case records, including case notes, pleadings, and data entry in the organization's case management system (e.g., Legal Server).

Collaboration and program support duties include:

• Collaborate effectively with attorneys, paralegals, and other EDC staff to ensure coordinated, high-quality client service.
• Participate actively in team and program meetings, training, and case review discussions to share best practices and improve service delivery.
• Contribute to internal resource development, process improvement, and cross-program collaboration efforts.

Administrative and organizational participation duties include:

• Accurately record required data to support program evaluation, grant compliance, and outcomes reporting.
• Participate in weekly program meetings, monthly agency-wide staff meetings, and supervision meetings as required.
• Represent EDC at community meetings, partner convenings, or other events as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned in alignment with organizational needs.

At EDC, we work to protect housing stability and provide meaningful access to legal support for San Francisco tenants facing eviction. Candidates must share our commitment to high-quality, client-centered services and bring strong professional skills, sound judgment, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Success in this role requires empathy, professionalism, cultural competency, and a solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Active membership in good standing with the California Bar (candidates awaiting bar results may be considered).
• At least two (2) years of legal experience, preferably in landlord-tenant, housing law, or public interest legal services, providing direct legal counseling or representation to tenants in crisis or under significant stress.
• Knowledgeable about the unlawful detainer process in San Francisco and familiarity with state and local housing laws, including the San Francisco Rent Ordinance, Tenant Right to Counsel (TRC) program, eviction protections and procedures, fair housing, habitability, and subsidized housing programs.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, including the ability to provide clear, empathetic, and accurate information over the phone.
• Understanding of systemic housing inequities, historical discrimination, and contemporary housing justice efforts.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience providing full-scope representation in unlawful detainer actions or related civil litigation.
• Familiarity with San Francisco's Tenant Right to Counsel (TRC) program or similar city-funded legal services initiatives.
• Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or another language commonly spoken in San Francisco is a plus.

Required skills include:

• High level of professional integrity, accountability, and reliability.
• Excellent client-centered approach to service; demonstrated ability to work with clients who may be in distress or crisis.
• Strong cultural competency and cultural humility.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong time management and project management skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with a high volume of activity.
• Possess ability to make sound, quick decisions and exercise good judgment.
• Good listening skills and ability to convey complex information clearly.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other office software; Salesforce or other legal/case management database experience.

EDC staff are represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW, UAW Local 2320, AFL-CIO). This position is a union position and is subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

EDC uses a step system for all union employees. New employees are placed on the salary scale based on relevant work experience from the past nine years. Please include all relevant experience in your application and resume so EDC can determine your appropriate salary step.

This role involves handling sensitive and confidential information and requires professionalism, empathy, and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. Some evening or weekend work may be required.

This is a hybrid role. Employees may be able to work from home two (2) regularly scheduled days a week after thirty (30) days of employment. Staff must remain responsive during standard business hours while working remotely.

Work from home schedules shall be established in consultation with the Employee's supervisor and approved by Program Directors and/or Human Resources.

Physical requirements include:

• Prolonged sitting/standing.
• Extensive typing and data entry.
• Close visual acuity for reviewing documents, data, and reports.
• Prolonged computer use.

EDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and respectful workplace. Employment decisions are based on organizational needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to protected characteristics. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is not tolerated.