Staff Attorney I - Housing Services

Salary : $122,200.00 - $150,259.20 Annually
Location : Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), 2600 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Job Type: At-Will Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-23
Department: Legal
Opening Date: 03/24/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Please go to for details of this position and to apply.

Special Note: The posted salary is an estimate of the potential annual pay. Final offer will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Scale: Candidates can expect to be hired within the 8 step salary range of $122,200.00 - $150,259.20

Jump into meaningful legal work that keeps LA public housing communities thriving. As a Staff Attorney, you'll handle a steady caseload of eviction matters, support housing teams with day-to-day legal guidance, and help make sure policies and practices stay on point with Fair Housing and tenant protection laws.

You'll work closely with HACLA staff, investigators, and local partners to manage cases, solve problems in real time, and support residents and operations alike. It's a hands-on role where you'll build your litigation skills, sharpen your judgment, and make a direct impact across the City of LA.

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves, manage a busy caseload, and grow your career in public service law, this is your calling.
Definition: Under supervision, the staff attorney works closely with HACLA's Legal Department to provide legal services to the Housing Services Department and/or others, on matters associated with but not limited to, full unlawful detainer services, staff training, and legal advice as it pertains to Landlord-Tenant, Fair Housing, Reasonable Accommodation and Public Housing laws, both federal and State.

• Manages own caseload including commencing and completing unlawful detainers from receipt of case to resolution, including serving notices to vacate, filing and serving complaints, motions, responsive documents and appearance at trials and/or other hearings.
• Oversees outside counsel related to any unlawful detainer services they may be providing.
• Assists the Housing Services Department in initiating, developing, recommending, and implementing policies, procedures, and goals related to the unlawful detainer process, Fair Housing, Reasonable Accommodation, and Public Housing laws.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationship with HACLA staff, the Los Angeles Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies.
• Coordinates unlawful detainer activities with other Legal Department staff members, including fraud investigators, and trains management staff to ensure prompt and proper unlawful detainer actions.
• Prepares and presents reports on Department activities as requested.
• Advises and assists Housing Service Department staff in matters of Landlord Tenant, Fair Housing, Reasonable Accommodation and Public Housing Law.
• Provides legal opinions on unlawful detainer, fair housing, and public housing issues as required.
• Reviews all federal, state, and local laws and legal requirements relating to the unlawful detainer process and resident leases and recommends changes to ensure compliance.
• Assists in other legal matters, including legal research, and other matters affecting the Housing Authority including civil litigation as directed.
• Supervises legal support staff, including paralegals and legal assistants, as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Member in good standing of the California State bar. Must be licensed to practice law in California. Candidate must also possess:

• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to lead and multi-task.
• Manage a large volume of cases.
• Strong Interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work with tenant advocacy groups and other third parties.

Desired Qualifications:

Trial experience, preferably in the areas of landlord/tenant (unlawful detainer) litigation, is desired.

License Required: Must be a member of the California Bar in good standing. Must also possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License at time of appointment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education, and/or training. Applications must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation. Resumes may be included but may not be submitted in lieu of application content. Only the most-qualified applicants will be considered and may be invited to the interview and selection process.
SELECTION PROCEDUREApplications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education and training. The application must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation.
HIRING INFORMATION
All job offers are contingent upon providing a successful completion of a pre-employment evaluation, which includes: a post-offer medical examination (includes drug and alcohol screening), criminal records check, employment history and education verification, and documentation of the right to work in the United States.
Candidates will start at step one(1) of an eight (8) step salary range unless there are special exceptions in accordance with agency Personnel Rules.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION
Testing Accommodations: If you require an accommodation due to a physical, mental or learning disability, please call (213) 252-5400 or email no less than 72 hours prior to testing date for special assistance. Special testing accommodations may be arranged if verification of the disability is provided by a physician, rehabilitation counselor, or other authority.
Candidates who require a reasonable accommodation in any portion of the selection process should state their need in writing when submitting an application.

NOTE: The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Please call NeoGov Toll-Free Applicant Support telephone line (855) 524-5627 if you forget your password, have application login problems or get an error message during the application process.
HACLA Benefits

*Medical/Dental/Vision Plan:

• HACLA will provide up to 100% of the CalPERS medical premium rate for Los Angeles, San Bernardino & Ventura Counties Kaiser rates for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
• HACLA will provide 100% of basic Dental HMO rates for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
• HACLA will provide 100% basic Vision coverage for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
• $250 OPT OUT payment is available for employees with a qualifying health plan outside of the employer network.
• Employees have the option to choose additional optional insurance such as Dental PPO, Custom Vision, additional medical coverage, and voluntary additional life insurance.

*Short-Term Disability/Long-Term Disability/Mandatory Life:

• HACLA will provide 100% of STD/LTD/Mandatory Life premiums for all eligible employees to maintain the IRS 125 Plan

*Pension Plan:

• HACLAretirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years.
  • For Classic members, the pension formula is 2.7% at 55 with members contributing 8% of their wages towards their retirement.
  • For PEPRA members, the pension formula is 2% at 62, with members contributing 7.75% of their wages towards their retirement.
  • CalPERS will make the determination regarding the type of membership for which the eligible employee will qualify.

*General Leave/Holidays/PTO:

• Annual leave accruals vary, depending upon the type of job/position (membership in employee organizational group) and years of service. Length of service increases accrual rates by employee organizational group when service requirements are met.
• Newly Hired Annual Accruals:
  • At-Will/Non-Represented accrual per pay period 5.23 hours (17 days annually)
  • Council of Housing Professionals-Management accrual per pay period 4.15 hours (14 days annually)
  • Council of Housing Professionals-Administration accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
  • Service Employees International Union (Local 721) accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
  • Los Angeles County Building and Construction Trades Council accrual per pay period 5.23 hours (17 days annually)
  • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
• 14 Observed Holidays:
  • New Year's Eve; New Years Day; Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday; President's Day; Cesar Chavez Day; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Day After Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
• 12 Floating Holiday hours annually
• Opportunity to earn up to 160 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) for eligible exempt employees as comp time per calendar year. Employees may cash out up to 160 hours of accrued and unused PTO annually.

*Additional Optional Benefits:

• Pre-Tax Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
• Group term life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account Options
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Partial Telework Program

*Temporary Casual/Per-Diem employee are eligible to enroll/receive the following benefits:

• Kaiser Medical Insurance - 50% employer covered medical through Kaiser Permanente if working 30 hours or more per week.
• Paid Sick Time - At least 40 hours or 5 days of sick leave after 90 days of employment.
• Eligible casual employees may enter as Classic or PEPRA members if qualifying requirements are met.
• Per-Diem employees are not eligible for the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).

Note: Temporary casual/per-diem employees are able to work up to 40 hours per week as necessary.

*Availability of benefits are dependent upon employment eligibility status with HACLA*
01

Are you a member in good standing of the California State bar?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you licensed to practice law in California?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have trial experience in the areas of landlord/tenant (unlawful detainer) litigation?

• Yes
• No

Required Question