Description

PLAN is looking for a strong housing advocate to lead our Housing Justice Pilot. The ideal candidate is committed to equity and justice and centering the experiences of the immigrant clients and communities we work with. This is a one-year funded position, and PLAN is committed to working proactively to secure ongoing funding and transition this into a permanent role.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide free housing representation to low income in specific geographic areas in Maricopa County including represent tenants in eviction proceedings and related housing matters.  
• Conduct legal screenings and consultations to assess legal issues and develop case strategies grounded in client goals.  
• Negotiate with landlords and seek legal solutions before evictions are in process. 
• Draft pleadings, motions, and settlement agreements and other relevant legal documents.  
• Provide limited scope advice and brief services for walk-in clinics and rapid response events.  
• Assist tenants in pursuing post-eviction remedies.  
• Build community trust by participating in and regularly attending events/meetings with local immigrant-led organization partners.  
• Collaborate with local immigrant-led organizations to grow legal knowledge within the immigrant community.  This includes, but is not limited to, providing community legal education, creating new frameworks for attorney accountability, and hosting legal clinics.
• Manage legal casework system.
• Support with managing and gathering immigration legal services data for grant reporting. 

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Passion for PLAN’s mission, vision, and values and interest in acting as PLAN’s ambassador in the community.
• Reside in the Phoenix-metro area or willing to relocate there.
• J.D. degree and license to practice law in Arizona.
• At least 1 year experience of direct representation (includes law school clinical/intern experience) OR 1 year post-law school experience in related area (e.g. public defense, civil legal services, etc.)
• Professional proficiency in English AND Spanish. 
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, with ability to work in high-volume settings with limited resources.
• Proven understanding of office applications including Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and other similar applications.
• Travel to court, community events, and other locations will be required; must have valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Independent problem-solver with strong professional ethics.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant justice and/or racial equity.
• Good team player. PLAN is a small organization and staff wear multiple hats to meet the needs of our community. 
   

Desired Qualifications:

• At least 1 year experience representing tenants (including law school clinical/intern experience)  
• First-hand experience with the eviction process, the immigration system and/or involvement with immigrant-led or tenant-led organizations and/or movements locally (preferred) or nationally.
• Experience with and/or interest in learning about movement lawyering and other areas of law to support our local immigrant community.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to work with diverse populations.