Legal Assistant - Housing Practice Group
Riverside, CA
Full Time
Entry Level
Job Title: Housing Legal Assistant
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Practice Group Director, assigned Staff Attorney or Managing Attorney
Compensation Range: $23.00 - $35.00 Hourly (Depending on experience)
Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) seeks a Housing Legal Assistant to support our Housing Practice Group (HPG). This hybrid position may include some in-person responsibilities extending to office-based support, court filings, and onsite assistance during housing clinics and courthouse appearances in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
The Housing Practice Group provides critical legal advocacy to low-income tenants facing eviction, substandard housing conditions, and housing discrimination. As an integral member of the litigation and advocacy team, the Housing Legal Assistant ensures accurate case tracking, litigation preparation, and timely client communication while supporting attorneys and paralegals in all aspects of case management.
Our mission is to increase access to the civil justice system, protect civil liberties, and promote housing stability. We believe that housing is a fundamental right, and we are committed to preserving safe and stable housing for low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Through compassionate advocacy and legal support, we strive to ensure that every person we serve can live with dignity, security, and peace of mind.
As a Housing Legal Assistant, you will work closely with dedicated attorneys and paralegals in the Housing Practice Group. Together, you will collaborate on case strategies, track emerging housing trends, and receive mentorship to strengthen your skills in unlawful detainer defense, foreclosure prevention, habitability claims, subsidized housing advocacy, and tenant outreach.
If you are ready to embrace this challenging and rewarding opportunity, we encourage you to apply to join the ICLS Housing Practice Group. Together, we can make a lasting difference and ensure that justice is accessible to all. We encourage you to apply and join us in advancing housing justice across the Inland Empire.
Qualities:
To be successful, a Housing Legal Assistant should have the following qualities:
Primary Responsibilities
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws and regulations. Selections for employment or promotion are made solely on the basis of merit as identified through work experience and education. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering an inclusive environment. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces with the recognition that the sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Staff approach professional relationships with humility and a desire to have a positive impact on the community we serve.
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Practice Group Director, assigned Staff Attorney or Managing Attorney
Compensation Range: $23.00 - $35.00 Hourly (Depending on experience)
Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) seeks a Housing Legal Assistant to support our Housing Practice Group (HPG). This hybrid position may include some in-person responsibilities extending to office-based support, court filings, and onsite assistance during housing clinics and courthouse appearances in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
The Housing Practice Group provides critical legal advocacy to low-income tenants facing eviction, substandard housing conditions, and housing discrimination. As an integral member of the litigation and advocacy team, the Housing Legal Assistant ensures accurate case tracking, litigation preparation, and timely client communication while supporting attorneys and paralegals in all aspects of case management.
Our mission is to increase access to the civil justice system, protect civil liberties, and promote housing stability. We believe that housing is a fundamental right, and we are committed to preserving safe and stable housing for low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Through compassionate advocacy and legal support, we strive to ensure that every person we serve can live with dignity, security, and peace of mind.
As a Housing Legal Assistant, you will work closely with dedicated attorneys and paralegals in the Housing Practice Group. Together, you will collaborate on case strategies, track emerging housing trends, and receive mentorship to strengthen your skills in unlawful detainer defense, foreclosure prevention, habitability claims, subsidized housing advocacy, and tenant outreach.
If you are ready to embrace this challenging and rewarding opportunity, we encourage you to apply to join the ICLS Housing Practice Group. Together, we can make a lasting difference and ensure that justice is accessible to all. We encourage you to apply and join us in advancing housing justice across the Inland Empire.
Qualities:
To be successful, a Housing Legal Assistant should have the following qualities:
- Ability to understand the lives and unique struggles of people from marginalized communities. Be comfortable connecting with and working with individuals of different backgrounds, including those from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, cultures, socio-economic statuses, seniors, and vulnerable populations.
- Passion for and dedication to increasing access to justice via civil legal aid, and a desire to help individuals navigate the complex housing system.
- Strong interest in housing laws and policies.
- Compassionate, receptive, and approachable.
- Self-motivated and proactive.
- Demonstrates determination to secure the best outcome for clients.
- Flexibility and adaptability to handle diverse legal matters and shifting priorities.
- Has healthy and sustainable practices to manage stress and vicarious trauma or is willing to learn practices that may be helpful.
- Possess a growth mindset with an interest in personal and professional development, and a willingness to learn and be mentored.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with and advocating for individuals from marginalized communities.
- Trauma-informed approach to legal advocacy.
- Clear and professional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage a high-volume caseload with competing priorities, particularly for clients in crisis.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a legal team and independently on administrative or case-related tasks.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams), Adobe, Zoom, and e-filing platforms preferred.
- Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred. Proficiency will be tested.
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required; an associate degree or legal administrative training is preferred.
- At least 1 year of legal or administrative experience supporting litigation or case management, preferably in housing, landlord-tenant, or legal aid settings.
- Demonstrated familiarity with court processes and rules, calendaring practices, and case tracking in high-volume environments.
- Proficiency with case management systems (LegalServer preferred).
- Willingness to maintain a home office with reliable high-speed internet for occasional remote tasks or willingness to provide in-office or court-based support as needed.
- Cultural competence in working with individuals experiencing housing instability, economic hardship, or trauma.
Primary Responsibilities
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
- Provide administrative, litigation, and case management support to attorneys and legal staff, including setting appointments, coordinating meetings, drafting correspondence, mail processing, photocopying, and scanning.
- Serve as a point of contact for client and partner inquiries by phone, email or in person.
- Provide case support, including screening applicants for legal services; filing and serving documents electronically or via mail; and conducting legal research.
- Maintain and update detailed electronic and physical case files using ICLS’s case management system.
- Communicate with clients to collect and relay information, coordinate appointments, handle inquiries, and provide updates on case progress.
- Schedule and confirm client appointments, interviews, and hearing appearances; send reminders and update case records accordingly.
- Conduct initial client intake, collect supporting documentation, and assist with onboarding and document preparation.
- Manage internal calendars for multiple attorneys and paralegals, tracking litigation deadlines, appointments, hearings, and follow-ups.
- Maintain timely and organized case notes and time records in case management databases.
- Draft routine legal correspondence, cover letters, and declarations under attorney or paralegal supervision.
- Provide support during unlawful detainer and other related litigation trial preparation, including compiling exhibits and coordinating with witnesses.
- Collaborate effectively as part of a team that includes attorneys, paralegals, volunteers, and law students.
- Ensure compliance with program and funder requirements for data tracking, file organization, and outcome reporting.
- Assist in the coordination and staffing of in-person housing clinics, courthouse calendars, and community outreach events.
- Provide translation or interpreter support, as needed, if bilingual.
- Comply with all training, as directed by ICLS and Practice Group Director, as well as MCLE requirements for paralegals in accordance California Business and Professions Code §6450(d).
- Comply with all program regulations and funder requirements.
- Assist with special projects, legal research, and additional administrative tasks as directed.
- Perform other duties as needed to support attorneys, paralegals, and litigation workflow.
Inland Counties Legal Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws and regulations. Selections for employment or promotion are made solely on the basis of merit as identified through work experience and education. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. The recognition of our common humanity is the first step in fostering an inclusive environment. Our unique stories and experiences allow us to better solve the challenges that our community faces with the recognition that the sum of our unique differences is greater than our individual parts. Staff approach professional relationships with humility and a desire to have a positive impact on the community we serve.
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