TDP - Supervising Attorney

Supervising Attorney 
Tenant Defense Project
(Full-Time, Exempt) 

Inner City Law Center (ICLC) is a nonprofit law firm located in the Skid Row neighborhood of Los Angeles. We are looking for extraordinary people to help us end homelessness in Los Angeles. Founded on the fundamental principle that every person should always be treated with dignity and respect, ICLC fights for justice for low-income tenants, working-poor families, people who are disabled or experiencing homelessness, people living with HIV/AIDS, and homeless veterans. 

Position Description: The Supervising Attorney is part of the Tenant Defense Project leadership team and primarily responsible for providing direct supervision of Staff Attorneys and/or Housing Justice Fellows that provide eviction defense representation to tenants. The Supervising Attorney has a focus on helping new attorneys develop effective trial advocacy skills. They manage attorneys and oversee their legal casework to ensure the provision of client-centered, effective, and efficient legal representation. They also work closely with the team’s leadership to develop, implement, and monitor systems and processes to ensure high-quality legal representation, proper case management practices, and the sustainable and equitable division of work among legal staff. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Responsibilities: 

Legal case supervision and support

• Direct the work of Staff Attorneys and Housing Justice Fellows, including reviewing, and assigning case work, training, and coaching.
• Provide trial and in-court support to Fellows and less experienced Attorneys across different supervision teams, including regularly serving as co-counsel on unlawful detainer jury trials.
• Proactively supervise case work through frequent informal communications and regular 1-on-1 meetings. These meetings are to discuss case progression and strategy, monitor overall caseload, and ensure proper case management. Supervising Attorney should also maintain familiarity with supervisee’s cases and address potential workload concerns.
• Supervise, collaborate with, and support an assigned Training Attorney, whose primary duty is to train and support Housing Justice Fellows in their first year of their two-year fellowship.
• Co-counsel on supervisees’ cases, including trial co-counsel and other in-court support as needed.
• Provide case coverage during supervisees’ absences and arrange coverage with other staff as needed.
• Ensure compliance with organization and team policies and procedures, including document management, case notes, case timekeeping, inputting appearances and deadlines per team’s calendaring system, and grant requirements.
• Plan and lead weekly case review where attorneys are required to share individual cases in a structured group format and share complex issues and feedback for further discussion with team leadership. 

Ongoing feedback and professional development 

• Provide regular feedback to supervisees based on in-court observations, review of case work product, and continued assessment of their strengths, skills, areas for improvement.
• Identify appropriate professional development opportunities based on staff’s interest, skills, and experience level.
• Conduct performance evaluations of all supervisees according to the organization’s performance management process. 

Performance expectations and standards 

• Manage substantive and administrative onboarding and provide ongoing guidance to ensure adherence to substantive and administrative policies and procedures.
• Stay informed of applicable laws, rules, procedures, and policies affecting eviction defense litigation, and keep supervisees informed of the same.
• Support in creation of written guidelines for case assessment and litigation protocols.
• Provide legal training and technical assistance to staff and collaborate on robust training program for attorneys new to eviction defense litigation, leading development and implementation of a trial skills building curriculum.
• Manage offboarding according to team procedures and reassign cases in coordination with other attorneys and supervisors.
• Evaluate and troubleshoot team issues and procedures and recommend solutions.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Legal Co-Director to improve team’s litigation standards and protocols and overall program design. 

Other management duties 

• Conduct regular review of supervisees’ ready-to-close cases and confirming proper case outcomes and other case data, providing feedback and corrections to staff as needed.
• Responsible for administrative tasks, including onboarding, managing staff schedules, timecard completion, and time-off requests.
• Represent the organization in meetings with funders, media, and partner agencies as assigned.
• Participate in hiring process for Staff Attorneys, Housing Justice Fellows, Paralegals, and other support staff as needed.
• Participate in community outreach events, legal clinics and workshops, and other external partnership building opportunities. 

Performing other duties as assigned. 

Hiring Criteria: Committed to ICLC’s mission and values, equity, diversity, and racial justice. Minimum of 3 years of eviction defense or housing litigation experience. Admitted to the California State Bar or in another state and eligible to practice as a Registered Legal Aid Attorney under Rule 9.45 of the California Rules of Court. Innovative and solution oriented. Strong research, writing, and analytical skills. Organized and detail oriented. Able to assume responsibility quickly and independently manage varied responsibilities in a rapidly growing organization. Commitment to client-centered advocacy, and ability to build trust and rapport with a wide range of clients and team members in a kind, appropriate, and effective manner. Strong interpersonal skills and able to cultivate relationships with partner organizations. Desire to mentor junior staff, work as part of a team, and collaborate with project staff and partners. Excellent problem solving, time management, and decision-making ability. Effective communication skills, remaining responsive to team members in a fast-paced environment. Strong organizational and project management skills to seek input from multiple stakeholders and see multiple priorities through completion. Must have access to reliable transportation. 

Compensation: Salary compensation from $91,000 - $125,000 per year and is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits.  

How to Apply: Cover letters and resumes are reviewed upon receipt and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter detailing interest in the position directly to our website at https://innercitylaw.org/apply/. Applications will not be considered if both resume and cover letter are not provided.  

Inner City Law Center is committed to having a diverse staff and an equitable and inclusive workplace. To read our full DEI Statement, please click here. 

ICLC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, disability, marital status, or medical condition. All qualified applicants with criminal histories shall be considered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.  

To keep our Staff and Clients safe, ICLC requires all Staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccine and undergo TB testing upon hire..