Housing Justice Project Staff Attorney

 Nature of Work and Position Duties

The Housing Justice Project (HJP) is a specific program of Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers. HJP focuses on eviction prevention, providing legal advice and counsel to indigent tenants facing landlord-tenant issues such as habitability. HJP also hosts the appointed counsel program, which represents indigent tenants in Pierce and several other Washington counties in unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings. The primary responsibility of the HJP Staff Attorney is to provide legal services to low-income tenants facing housing-related issues. The HJP Staff Attorney works collaboratively with Tacomaprobono staff on active eviction issues to provide professional, client-centered representation to low-income individuals facing housing and eviction-related issues.   

This position is classified as a hybrid role, meaning that the work arrangement calls for both hours in the office and remote work. Everyone in a hybrid role is required to spend some time in the office. Work arrangements can change based on business need.

Essential HJP Staff Attorney Functions

• Prepare and manage a high-volume caseload requiring frequent client interaction, possible negotiations with opposing parties, and court appearances as necessary.
• Develop and maintain relationships with opposing counsel, the court, and the community.
• Participate in specialized legal clinics, ‘know your rights’ presentations, and other formal and  informal
• opportunities for low-income tenants to access legal advice and representation; make referrals to other
• Tacomaprobono clinics and programs and other organizations to ensure low-income tenants have holistic access to legal representation and client services for all civil legal needs.
• Cooperate with other programs operated by Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers to improve existing legal services.
• Participate in program-related CLE training.

Experience and Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Washington or planning to take the next available Washington State Bar exam.
• Knowledge of Washington housing law, or a commitment to learn this specialized field.
• Litigation and direct client management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with low-income clients, individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds, survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, and/or individuals from historically marginalized and oppressed communities.
• Established commitment to providing legal assistance to low-income clients.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with others.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Zoom, and LegalServer or similar case management software.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position: ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time; interact with computer screens; and manipulate essential computer components (i.e., mouse and keyboard). Mobility around the office, and the abilities to bend/stoop, push/pull, and perform unassisted lifting consistent with the job duties are required.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $74,500 annually. Compensation increases are based on years of experience in a particular or substantially similar role, rather than on individual negotiations, which have been shown to contribute to pay disparity. Tacomaprobono is committed to a work environment that supports a healthy work-life balance. We have a 35-hour work week and offer a comprehensive compensation package that includes the following benefits:

• 11 paid holidays annually
• 5-20 paid vacation days annually (dependent on tenure)
• Two-week paid holiday closure around Christmas and New Year’s
• Sick leave accrual at a rate of 1 hour for every 35 hours worked and a generous sick leave carryover
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid parental and family leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

In addition, we pay 100% of employee premiums for excellent health, vision, dental, EAP benefits, and offer discounted pet insurance.