Staff Attorney- Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit (Foreclosure)

Community Legal Services, Inc. of Philadelphia (CLS) is a non-profit public interest organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income Philadelphia residents. As the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Philadelphia area, CLS is both locally and nationally renowned as a premier legal services provider dedicated to ensuring access to justice for low-income individuals and communities. CLS has several legal units covering a wide range of civil legal services.

We are currently seeking a Staff Attorney for the Homeownership and Consumer Rights Unit (HCRU) to help preserve and grow homeownership among low-income Philadelphians. This attorney would represent clients facing the potential loss of their home through mortgage or tax foreclosure. Representation includes all the elements of litigation including client interviewing, investigation, discovery, identifying and preparing witnesses and exhibits, drafting pleadings and briefs, and representing clients in administrative and court hearings and at trial. This attorney would, among other things, perform the following duties:

• Represent homeowners facing mortgage or tax foreclosure in state court and federal bankruptcy court.
• Assist homeowners in qualifying for a range of local, state, and federal mortgage loan modification programs and property tax programs.
• Bring affirmative litigation on behalf of homeowners to enforce consumer protection laws such as the Pennsylvania Loan Interest and Protection Law, the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the Truth in Lending Act.
• Provide supervision and support to paralegals, social workers, and interns, as appropriate.
• Engage in systemic advocacy, including policy, administrative and legislative advocacy and racial justice initiatives, as well as organizing and teaching community and professional education sessions on a variety of issues regarding mortgage and tax foreclosure programs, intergenerational wealth and the racial wealth gap, homeownership and the preservation of affordable housing, and other substantive areas of housing law and policy

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Four or more years of litigation experience or its equivalent.
• Strong team player eager to work in a fast-paced, high volume work environment.
• Commitment to high quality, compassionate representation for clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to handle direct service cases and impact cases of a complex nature.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous work experience in a public interest or nonprofit setting preferred
• Bilingual preferred

To Apply: CLS will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. However, candidates are highly encouraged to submit their application by Thursday, August 15, 2024.   You can submit your application on CLS’s website online at https://clsphila.org/careers/  or https://clsphiladelphia.applytojob.com/apply/VBpSnut4Xx/Staff-AttorneyHomeownership-Consumer-Rights-Unit-Foreclosure 

What to Include in your application: Please include a cover letter, resume, three professional references from current or former supervisors, and one brief writing sample (10 pages or less).

CLS values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

Compensation: This is a full-time position covered by the collective bargaining agreement between CLS and the Philadelphia Legal Services Union N.O.L.S.W./Local 2320/UAW. CLS offers a competitive salary based on experience. The current minimum starting salary is $63,000 for newly admitted attorneys, which increases with relevant years of experience and according to the provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement. 

Benefits: CLS offers a very generous and competitive benefits package including 100% employer paid medical (including gender affirming care), life, and short/long-term disability benefits, a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution, and generous leave package, including 13 paid holidays and five personal holidays each year. 

Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. CLS, Inc. does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.