Housing Attorney - Veterans Advocacy

Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc. (MHAS) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of low-income adults and children with mental health disabilities. MHAS advocates on behalf of people of all ages, with an emphasis on obtaining government benefits and services, protecting rights, and fighting discrimination, and participates in impact litigation and policy work. MHAS seeks to hire either a Senior or Staff Housing Attorney to lead its behavioral health-legal partnership with Mental Health America of Los Angeles's Veterans Program. The partnership targets low-income veterans with mental health disabilities at risk of homelessness. Through this project, MHAS provides legal advocacy for veterans to ensure they have the housing and other resources needed to achieve better mental health outcomes and overall well-being. Attorneys with fewer than four years of experience may be considered for Staff Attorney; attorneys with four or more years may be considered for Senior Attorney, with an expectation of handling cases requiring a high level of legal expertise and providing legal training and technical assistance to other MHAS staff. The position focuses on homelessness prevention, providing direct representation to clients in conflicts with landlords, housing authorities, and nonprofit housing and service providers, including pre-eviction legal services and legal services to improve habitability and ensure receipt of income or benefits to improve housing stability. Note: this position will not provide eviction defense representation in court. Responsibilities include providing legal assistance through advice and counsel, research and writing, negotiation, and administrative advocacy; maintaining an independent caseload; providing technical assistance and training to staff at other organizations and to members of the community; supervising law clerks; assisting with project administration and reporting; and participating in policy advocacy projects as requested. Minimum qualifications: J.D. degree and active membership in the California State Bar; for Senior Attorney, 4 or more years of attorney experience; commitment to advancing the rights of people with mental health disabilities, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness; strong legal research, writing, and communication skills. Location and schedule: this is a hybrid position. Most work can be done remotely, with in-person attendance twice a month at MHALA meetings in Long Beach and Palmdale (one meeting per month at each site) and occasional in-person meetings at the MHAS office in Glendale. The attorney will be required to live in the Los Angeles area. MHAS has a permanent four-day work week (four eight-hour days per week; the office is closed on Fridays). How to apply: applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Submit a resume, writing sample, and cover letter to info@mhas-la.org with "Employment Application - Attorney, Veterans" in the subject line.