Staff Attorney - Standing With Our Neighbors

AVLF seeks applicants for the full-time position of Staff Attorney in the Carver Cluster in the Standing With Our Neighbors™ Program in Atlanta, Georgia.  Standing With Our Neighbors is a part of the Safe and Stable Homes project that focuses on addressing housing instability in 9 Atlanta Public Schools’ neighborhoods.

The staff attorney will have a small individual caseload of housing cases and  assist  pro bono volunteer attorneys with cases. Additionally, the staff attorney will engage in community lawyering for the surrounding Carver Cluster neighborhood which entails community education efforts, training for volunteer firms, and building and maintaining relationships with community partners/organizations alongside a community advocate.

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to advocating for and working alongside tenants and community organizations to fight transiency in the school system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Representing tenants in evictions and affirmative cases against landlords, including research and drafting pleadings and motions, engaging in discovery, negotiating resolutions with opposing parties, appearing for formal and informal hearings and case conferences, assessing appeal potential,
• Working closely with families and in tandem with volunteer attorneys to prevent neighborhood displacement and ensure safe and healthy living conditions.  Collecting and evaluation evidence; recruiting, training, coordinating, advising and supervising volunteer attorneys providing pro bono representation to tenants, legal research for volunteer attorneys,
• Works closely with the Community Advocate to coordinate monthly supply distributions and host "know your rights" sessions to educate families on effective repairs, avoiding evictions, the right to safe and habitable housing, and issues such as indoor air quality
• Engaging in relationship building with partners; 
• Serving as program liaison to the media when requested and available;

• Taking a leadership role in partnering with community organizations and other non-profits, engaging in reciprocal services to further AVLF's leadership and credibility in the community.  Remain highly visible in the legal community.

Education and Experience

JD degree and a license to practice law in Georgia, with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant legal experience.  Previous litigation experience representing tenants and/or representing low-income clients is a strong preference.  

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and legal services to low-income individuals and/or communities, whether through pro bono work or otherwise.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including experience and comfort with public speaking. Proficiency or fluency in Spanish is not required but will be given a strong preference.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, and equally strong analytical legal skills. Experience with volunteer recruitment and management.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds, including communicating with our diverse constituencies - from law firm partners to potential clients.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and problem solve in a demanding and changing environment.
• Comfortable learning and working with new technology and proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel is a plus.

Working Conditions:

Work is generally performed working from home and in office environments.  May spend time traveling to and from meetings with clients.  Works in a fast-paced office environment with work requiring multi-tasking.  May require bending and prolonged sitting and/or standing.  COVID Vaccination Required