Housing Attorney

Position DescriptionHousing AttorneyVirginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS)Suffolk, VirginiaUse your legal skills where the outcome can determine whether someone remains in their home.VLAS seeks a full-time Housing Attorney for its eight-person office in Suffolk, a vibrant city on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia’s Western Tidewater region. The attorney will represent individuals and families facing eviction, unsafe housing conditions, and housing instability, while supporting advocacy and community engagement efforts in Suffolk and surrounding jurisdictions.Position OverviewUnder the direction of a Managing Attorney, the Housing Attorney plans, organizes, and carries out the delivery of legal services to VLAS individual and group clients facing eviction, foreclosure, housing conditions issues, and housing affordability challenges.Evictions, in particular, remain a significant and ongoing concern. This role focuses on providing direct legal representation at critical moments—when effective advocacy can meaningfully impact a client’s stability and future.General Responsibilities Preparation of client cases to be brought before state and federal courts Representation of clients before the appropriate forum, with co-counseling by a more experienced attorney when necessary Post-trial follow-up and closure of cases after settlement has been reached Outreach and education to tenants, community partners, and the public regarding housing issues Assisting the Managing Attorney with the development of an eviction prevention pilot program Performance of other related duties and assignments as requiredDutiesCase Development and Preparation Confirm client eligibility using standard VLAS eligibility guidelines Establish the facts of each case (client interviews, data collection, file review, written summaries) Maintain complete and accurate client files in accordance with VLAS procedures Prepare cases for presentation:Research statutes, case law, and administrative proceduresDraft pleadings, briefs, discovery, notices, motions, and correspondenceCounsel clients and prepare for hearings and trialsRepresentation and Advocacy Work with a Managing Attorney or experienced attorney on:Pre-filing review of documentsCo-counseling on hearings and trials Represent clients in:Pretrial negotiationsAgency and court hearings and trialsAppeals, where appropriateProfessional Responsibilities and Collaboration Prepare materials for case closure Attend trainings and fulfill Virginia MCLE requirements Provide outreach and community legal education Participate in VLAS practice groups and committees Assist in maintaining relationships with bar associations and community organizations Report regularly to the Managing Attorney Complete required activity and timekeeping reports Perform other related duties as assigned