Type: 1-year initial term with a 1-year extension, fixed term, non-exempt, full-time position. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 9410.
Requirement: J.D. and California bar membership required
Location: San Francisco. This is a hybrid role that is required to work in the office 2 days a week. Travel is expected throughout Northern California.
Deadline: Applications will be considered until June 30, 2026 or on a rolling basis until filled.
Reports to: The Housing Rights Fellow reports to the Housing Rights Program Director.
Compensation and Benefits: The Housing Right's Fellow salary range is $87,550 - $137,620. The compensation is determined based on relevant years of experience and in accordance with the negotiated salary scale in the union contract for this position.
This position is eligible for language premiums for demonstrated proficiency in a language other than English that is regularly used in their job duties. The annual premium is $1,500 for oral proficiency and $1,500 for written proficiency in each language.
ALC's comprehensive benefits package includes the following: generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); commuter benefits; and 401(k) retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match.
The Opportunity
Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a Housing Rights Fellow for its Housing Rights Program. The Housing Rights Fellow will chiefly engage in direct services and community outreach serving California tenants and tenant groups, with a focus on Bay Area tenants and tenant groups in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and Sacramento counties.
This position is a key member of our Housing Rights team, which adopts a multi-pronged approach to housing defense and anti-displacement. A critical component of the program is providing holistic, community legal services and know-your-rights education to low income and immigrant tenants who face threats of displacement due to gentrification, harassment, discrimination, and other intimidation tactics. Staff actively participate in
community coalitions and work closely with tenants and grassroots advocates to use policy and impact strategies to protect and advance the rights of low-income communities of color.
They may also engage in policy advocacy that arises from our representation and outreach work. There may also be the opportunity to engage in some instances of cross program or impact litigation work.
This position reports to the Housing Rights Program Director.
The Organization
ALC is the nation's first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. Since 1972, ALC has fought for access to affordable housing in San Francisco's Chinatown, litigated high profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color, across our Immigrant Justice, workers' rights, housing rights, and National Democracy Initiative programs, and other emerging areas of law.
ALC is based in San Francisco, a hub of the Asian American rights movement, progressive politics, and social justice activism. Our building in Chinatown is the first mixed-use, affordable housing co-op in San Francisco, serving as a model for preserving affordable housing in the city and protecting tenants' rights.
Responsibilities
Day-to-day activities vary in this dynamic position and include the following:
Direct Services and Representation
Conduct intakes and as necessary provide legal advice and counsel to tenants through clinics, held twice a month, and legal consultations
Provide high-quality legal representation to tenants at all stages in unlawful detainer litigation, affirmative litigation, and administrative proceedings
Represent and counsel tenant groups in organizing tenants or campaigns
Manage active caseload of housing rights cases, including maintaining client files, records, and notes, as required by case needs and grant-reporting
requirements
Community Outreach
Build and sustain relationships with grassroots community partners who support tenants and/or do anti-displacement work including in San
Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sacramento, and other California counties.
Conduct Know Your Rights trainings and other community legal education for tenants and community partners
Participate in coalitions and provide training, technical assistance, strategy development, and accessible written materials to community organizations and
other stakeholders whose work touches on low-income California immigrant tenants
Impact Litigation, Narrative Change and Policy
Supporting tenant-led campaigns and tenant organizing through strategic legal advocacy
Identify systemic problems through direct services work and possibly participate in resulting impact litigation and advocacy efforts
Contribute to legal research and analysis to inform or guide ALC strategies for litigation and advocacy to build power among immigrant Asian, Arab,
Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander communities.
Develop policy analysis around housing issues that impact low income and immigrant tenants
Develop and work on impact litigation cases --including multi tenant and building-wide housing cases
Collaborate with Communications staff to develop stories with ALC clients and their communities and execute narrative shifting strategies
Collaborate with other staff in the Housing Rights Program and perform other duties as needed
Qualifications
Minimum of two (2) year of direct services and legal representation (in any practice area) OR state court litigation experience
Excellent legal research, analytical, written and oral communication skills, and strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team and manage multiple tasks in a timely manner
Ability to work independently, including managing a caseload, and values accountability
Ability to think creatively, be strategic, and exercise good judgment
Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in changing environments and among varied community stakeholders
Ability to think strategically and balance competing priorities with grace and reason
Ability to work well under time pressure and meet deadlines
Ability to work flexible hours, including some weekends and evenings
Commitment to advancing the rights of low-income, people of color, immigrant, tenant, or worker communities
Highly Desirable
Previous experience with housing law, eviction defense, fair housing
Previous experience in direct services, litigation, policy advocacy, and/or community lawyering
Previous experience working with low-income immigrant communities
Previous experience working with clients who require interpretation and/or translation
Fluency in a non-English language, particularly Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish,
Tagalog, or Vietnamese
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit via Breezy (as PDF attachments) the following:
(1) cover letter explaining your interest in the position
(2) resume
(3) writing sample (no more than 10 pages)
(4) three professional references
Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.