Job Opportunities at the Connecticut Fair Housing Center

The Connecticut Fair Housing Center seeks Staff Attorneys and an Enforcement Attorney for its office. See descriptions below:

STAFF ATTORNEY POSITIONS
Fair Lending and Foreclosure Prevention Project
 CSO JobNet ID 7426- To apply
The Connecticut Fair Housing Center is a statewide nonprofit organization that promotes fair housing. The Center’s core mission is to ensure that all of Connecticut’s residents have access to the housing of their choice. In response to the current foreclosure crisis, the Center has expanded its core anti-discrimination work to include foreclosure prevention. For the last several years, we have devoted a portion of the organization’s staff and monetary resources to providing legal assistance to the thousands of Connecticut residents faced with losing their homes to foreclosure. The Center was awarded funds under the state-federal mortgage settlement to expand its work, and the Center now seeks two attorneys who will assist in its efforts.

Specific responsibilities include:
 Representing and advising homeowners in foreclosure including attending short calendar and mediation sessions, and litigating cases throughout the state;
Providing legal assistance, training, and support to housing counselors, private attorneys, court personnel, state workers, and others assisting homeowners in foreclosure;
Engaging in outreach such as teaching classes to homeowners in foreclosure, educating local officials, and working with the press;
Advocating for improvements to mortgage servicing, loan origination, and the foreclosure and mediation process;
Researching lending and foreclosure data to identify patterns of lending and foreclosure in neighborhoods of color and/or to people of color; and
Collaborating with other Center staff to determine if any lending or foreclosure patterns exist that violate fair housing and fair lending laws.

Qualifications:
J.D. and admission to Connecticut Bar or ability to be admitted without examination required;
 Foreclosure-related experience preferred;
Willingness to spend some weeknights on outreach;
 Demonstrated interest in combating housing discrimination or civil rights violations;
 Comfort with public speaking, including large crowds; and
Bilingual and/or bicultural individuals are encouraged to apply.


STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION
Fair Housing Enforcement
 CSO JobNet ID 7425- To apply
The Connecticut Fair Housing Center, a statewide nonprofit organization that promotes fair housing and assists homeowners in foreclosure, seeks an attorney committed to civil rights and interested in working on fair housing issues.  The Center’s enforcement work focuses on assisting victims of housing discrimination and engaging in policy advocacy to advance the right of individuals to live in housing of their choice.  The person will be located in Hartford but will travel throughout the state to attend court hearings and see clients.

Specific responsibilities include:
Handling a fair housing civil litigation case load;
Filing state and federal court and administrative complaints, conducting discovery, depositions, motions, trials, and post-trial litigation;
 Working under the supervision of the Legal Director, litigate complex cases in state and federal court;
Working collaboratively with other fair housing programs and initiatives to promote fair housing.

Qualifications:
 J.D. and admission to Connecticut Bar or ability to be admitted without examination required;
Civil litigation experience in state and federal court;
Demonstrated interest in combating housing discrimination or civil rights violations;
Superior research, writing, and verbal skills;
Computer competency;
Bi-lingual and/or bi-cultural individuals are encouraged to apply.