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Eviction Defense Attorney

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) seeks an experienced attorney to support the efforts of LaFHAC’s New Orleans-based team. The Eviction Defense Attorney will support LaFHAC’s Enforcement team as they provide eviction defense to clients.

Project Description:

The Eviction Defense attorney will work on LaFHAC’s eviction defense project, with an emphasis on serving clients that fall outside of legal aid’s service boundaries. The Eviction Defense attorney’s work will be focused solely on eviction defense in Orleans Parish/City of New Orleans as a response to the ongoing eviction crisis. The attorney will work closely with the local LSC-funded legal aid organization, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, to identify the populations that are most likely to be underserved, as well as to provide and be a source for referrals. The Eviction Defense attorney will appear regularly in Orleans Parish Civil District Court, to defend tenants facing eviction.

Responsibilities included, but are not limited to:

The Eviction Defense Attorney’s duties and responsibilities will include:

Provide quality representation and advice to individuals facing eviction in Orleans Parish.
Collaborate with SLLS to ensure coverage on the help desk 1-2 times per month.
Manage administrative aspects of representation including updating case notes and closing out files.
Serve as a liaison to locally-based coalitions that are working to protect tenants from eviction.
Conduct outreach at community events and during other outreach efforts.
Provide information and education to affinity groups and elected officials to improve conditions and outcomes for tenants.
Other duties as assigned.

Please Note: LaFHAC’s staff continues to work on a hybrid schedule due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Employees are required to work in the office two days per week.

Qualifications:

Our ideal candidate will possess the following:

Current ability to practice law in Louisiana is required. Given the immediate need, we are unable to accept unlicensed or license-pending applicants.
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Experience in housing and ideally eviction defense
Passion for civil rights advocacy and housing justice
Demonstrated commitment to racial equity
Attention to detail
Ability to work on teams and with different working styles

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $60, 000- $65,000. Placement on the pay scale is based on the following factors: years of relevant work experience; relevant undergraduate degree (or higher) or certification received; bilingual language skills; and connections to the community.

LaFHAC’s benefits include:

100% employer-paid medical insurance with available dental and vision coverage
Flex spending account
401(k) with employer-matched contributions
Paid vacation
Paid parental leave
Hybrid and flexible work policies.

How to Apply:

The position is open until filled. Please email a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to resumes@lafairhousing.org with the subject line “Eviction Defense Attorney.” All correspondence should be addressed to Executive Director, Ameca Reali. Please note: due to the expected volume of submissions, we will not be able to return emails or phone calls about specific applications.

LaFHAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LaFHAC values diversity and inclusion in the workplace because it enhances the work we do, reflects the communities we serve, and embodies the values we further and defend. Candidates of all backgrounds are welcome.

Legal Director

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) seeks an experienced Legal Director to support the efforts of its New Orleans-based team. The Legal Director will also lead the Enforcement team’s efforts to defend tenants’ rights and investigate and address violations of the Fair Housing Act across Louisiana.

Responsibilities included, but are not limited to:

The Legal Director’s duties and responsibilities will include:

Lead LaFHAC’s enforcement and right-to-counsel efforts by providing vision, direction, and support to a team of attorneys, legal workers, and support staff
Grow and manage LaFHAC’s litigation portfolio while meeting FHIP deliverables and goals
Perform the provision of a full range of services to persons experiencing housing discrimination: counseling, referrals to attorneys or enforcement agencies, representation in administrative and litigation proceedings
Supervise the attorneys and staff working on the right-to-counsel program
Serve as liaison and point of contact to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development staff on enforcement issues related to the Fair Housing Initiatives (FHIP) program
Recruit and manage legal interns, externs, and law clerks.

Manage LaFHAC’s testing program in collaboration with the Coordinator of Investigations
Partner with LaFHAC staff and external partners as necessary to support enforcement goals and LaFHAC’s mission
Cultivate an inclusive, collaborative team
Prepare and submit reports to the Board of Directors as necessary
Represent LaFHAC as necessary in public spaces in a way that embraces and embodies LaFHAC’s mission and goals

Please Note: LaFHAC’s staff continues to work hybrid due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Employees are required to work in the office two days a week.

Qualifications:

Applicants for the Legal Director position should have significant experience as a practicing attorney. Additional requirements and necessary skills are:

Admission to Louisiana State Bar and/or ability to practice in Louisiana federal courts
Ability to speak and write about fair housing in a way that resonates with community members and partners (organizational and individual)
Personal connection with and to the harmful effects of segregation and housing discrimination
Connection to and experience working within communities of color and with other persons likely to experience housing discrimination
Ability to handle a large volume of housing discrimination cases in a fast-paced setting while growing LaFHAC’s profile in the legal community and the community at large
Exceptional organization, with project management skills and attention to detail
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Goal-oriented, flexible, eager to learn, takes initiative, and thrives in an entrepreneurial environment with a tight focus on results
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and ambitious deadlines simultaneously
Commitment to LaFHAC’s mission and goals
Ability to recruit, cultivate, and collaborate with a diverse pool of cooperating attorneys

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $80,000-85,000. Placement on the pay scale is based on the following factors:

Years of relevant work experience
Relevant undergraduate degree (or higher) or certification received
Bilingual language skills
Connections to the community

LaFHAC’s benefits include:

100% employer-paid medical insurance with available dental and vision coverage
Flex spending account
401(k) with employer-matched contributions
Paid vacation
Paid parental leave

How to Apply:

The position is open until filled. Please email a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to resumes@lafairhousing.org with the subject line “Legal Director.” All correspondence should be addressed to Ameca Reali, Executive Director. Please note: due to the expected volume of submissions, we will not be able to return emails or phone calls about specific applications.

Director of Education and Outreach

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) seeks an experienced Director of Education and Outreach to support the efforts of LaFHAC’s New Orleans-based team. The Director of Education and Outreach will promote fair housing practices through education, strategic outreach and the development of strong partnerships with diverse communities across the state.

Responsibilities included, but are not limited to:

Direct and manage all Education and Outreach activities including training, community events and establishing and maintaining key partnerships in alignment with organizational mission and goals.
Manage the FHIP application and reporting processes and serve as the LaFHAC liaison to HUD FHIP/FHEO staff.
Network statewide with housing organizations, non-profits, housing industry groups, governments and the faith based community.
Coordinate and expand Fair Housing University training programs throughout Louisiana, including: developing and updating targeted curricula for multiple audiences.
Direct the Fair Housing Five program.
Supervise planning and execution of education events, including Fair Housing Month and Fit for a King, as well as outreach opportunities such as housing fairs and tabling events as they arise.
Supervise creation of outreach materials, and review and edit Education and Outreach materials for branding continuity, clarity, and content. Supervise implementation of outreach campaigns as needed.
Regularly review metrics and analytics to monitor success of outreach campaigns and communications and adjust as needed.
Recruit and manage E&O interns and volunteers as needed.

Please Note: LaFHAC’s staff continues to work hybrid due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Candidates are required to work in the office 2 days a week.

Qualifications:

Our ideal candidate will possess the following:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in fair housing education, outreach, or advocacy
Proven experience managing government grants and reporting from state or federal agencies
In-depth knowledge of fair housing laws, regulations, and best practices
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire others
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse communities in Louisiana.
Proven experience in developing and implementing educational programs or initiatives
Ability to collaborate and build relationships with community stakeholders and organizations.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000. Placement on the pay scale is based on the following factors: years of relevant work experience; relevant undergraduate degree (or higher) or certification received; bilingual language skills; and connections to the community.

LaFHAC’s benefits include:

100% employer-paid medical insurance with available dental and vision coverage
Flex spending account
401(k) with employer-matched contributions
Paid vacation
Paid parental leave
Hybrid and Flexible work policies

How to Apply:

The position is open until filled. Please email a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to resumes [at] lafairhousing.org with the subject line “Director of Education and Outreach.” All correspondence should be addressed to Ameca Reali, Executive Director. Please note: due to the expected volume of submissions, we will not be able to return emails or phone calls about specific applications.

Internships & Law Clerkships

Law Clerks

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) seeks dedicated, motivated, and talented law students for semester-long and summer internships.

Law clerks assist LaFHAC attorneys with the investigation and litigation of fair housing complaints. Work may involve all aspects of litigation, including client intake, performing legal research, conducting factual investigation, drafting memoranda and motions, analyzing discovery materials, attending court proceedings, and preparing briefs. Law clerks may also assist with community outreach events designed to educate the public about their fair housing rights.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample via email to resumes [at] lafairhousing.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Education, Outreach and Policy Internships

LaFHAC’s Education & Outreach Department provides Fair Housing education to a wide variety of stakeholders including renters, first time homebuyers, landlords, property managers, real estate agents, developers and government officials. We educate the wider public through social media, print and radio advertisements, and targeted outreach. We also conduct workshops for youth and publish an original children’s book The Fair Housing Five. LaFHAC’s Policy Department promotes equitable housing laws and regulations on the local, state, and national levels. Recent victories include the expansion of housing protections for survivors of domestic violence through the passage of the Louisiana Violence Against Women Act in August 2015.

Education, Outreach and Policy Research intern applications are welcomed throughout the year with slots available in the Spring and Fall semesters, as well as over the summer. At this time, internships are unpaid.

Internship Activities

The focus of each internship will be designed in consultation with LAFHAC staff, taking into account department needs and intern skills and areas of interest. Tasks might include:

Producing and posting relevant content (including text, graphics, and video) to Facebook and other social media
Designing advertisements (print, radio, social media), flyers and brochures
Helping plan LaFHAC’s annual Fit for a King Fair Housing Summit, as well as workshops and other events
Tabling at community events and other direct outreach
Assisting with Fair Housing Five youth workshops
Bringing policy related research projects from inception to completion. Projects combine social science skills with project administration (sample projects include research and data collection on the Louisiana state legislature; using U.S. census data to track demographic changes; and mapping opportunity through local land use laws).

Interns should be interested in civil rights, law and policy, history, community education and/or design and marketing. Preferred candidates are tech-savvy, highly organized, and have a basic understanding of federal, state and local government. This is a great way for any social science major to apply classroom skills to real-world challenges. Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours preferred.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Monique Blossom at mblossom [at] lafairhousing.org and Silas Eames at seames [at] lafairhousing.org. Applications will be considered as follows:

Spring 2024: Applications due October 30th, 2023; candidates notified November 15th, 2023

Summer 2024: Applications due March 31, 2024; candidates notified April 15th, 2024

Fall 2024: Applications due July 15th, 2024; candidates notified August 1st, 2024