Staff Attorney

# STAFF ATTORNEY

Regional Housing Legal Services (RHLS) seeks to hire a lawyer committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis, supporting communities, and solving people’s need for a safe, healthy, affordable place to live. The Staff Attorney will join our team in providing transactional legal services for affordable housing developments; engaging with communities around affordable housing needs and development; and advancing public policies that move the needle on the affordable housing crisis.

## Our Mission

We work alongside communities to create and protect safe, affordable homes, particularly for low-income populations. We accomplish this by providing legal services to community-based organizations, advocating for policy changes, and fostering partnerships to promote housing justice.

## Who We Are

RHLS is a non-profit law firm with expertise in affordable, sustainable housing and community development. Our work is primarily focused on communities in Pennsylvania and Delaware. We provide innovative project and policy solutions that help create sustainable communities offering decent, safe, and affordable housing for lower-income households and neighborhoods.

RHLS is a specialized program within the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN). Our relationship with PLAN includes funding that enables RHLS to provide free and low-cost services to nonprofit and community-based organizations throughout the Commonwealth.

RHLS has offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, PA and Wilmington, DE. We are a unique public interest legal organization that provides transactional legal services to organizational clients at no or low cost to support affordable housing and equitable community development initiatives. We also share our expertise and insight with housing-focused policymakers and community advocates and lead on many initiatives to advance housing justice.

## Position Summary

Our legal staff represents non-profit organizations and affiliate entities engaged in affordable housing and community and economic development. We provide community education and support clients who seek to engage in local, state, and national policy for housing justice.

The core work of our attorneys involves highly sophisticated lawyering in real estate development transactional matters for non-profit organizations and related entities. Examples of this work include assistance and counsel on:

– **Entity structuring & nonprofit governance** — Advising on entity selection, mergers, IRS compliance, partnerships, and joint venture formation
– **Site acquisition** — Assistance on real estate acquisitions, including due diligence, title analysis, and drafting and reviewing acquisition agreements
– **Planning and pre-development** of affordable housing developments funded by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) or other federal, state, or local sources
– **Formation and operations** of tenant cooperatives and community land trusts
– **Navigating complex regulatory & funding structures** — leveraging LIHTC, HUD programs, tax exemptions, and other subsidies
– **Other development pillars** — Community economic inclusion (e.g., Section 3 hiring), mixed-use/commercial integration, manufactured home park conversions, single-room occupancy (SRO), and supportive housing models

## Core Responsibilities

• Advise and counsel clients, most of which are developing affordable housing
• Draft, prepare, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, loan documents, and other agreements on behalf of clients to protect their legal interests
• Negotiate with lenders, architects, contractors, government entities, and other parties and their counsel to advance our client’s interests
• Conduct legal and program-related research
• Assist in the preparation of documents necessary to challenge laws, regulations, policies, and practices that are detrimental to the interests of our clients
• Supervise paralegals and/or law students on client matters
• Become familiar with directives of RHLS and its funding sources, as applicable

Our legal staff participate in coalitions and committees that advance affordable housing justice and expansion of resources with government agencies and peer organizations.

## Qualifications

• Graduation with a B.S. or B.A. from an accredited college or university, graduation from an ABA-accredited law school, and admission to the practice of law in Pennsylvania or eligibility to become a member of the PA state bar within six months of hire. Admission to or eligibility to sit for the Delaware state bar is a plus.
• Prior experience in transactional legal work, including real estate development and finance, OR substantive experience or knowledge of partnership law, HUD and housing finance agency programs, nonprofit corporation law, or tax law.
• Prior experience in affordable housing or within legal aid/low-income advocacy in housing law and/or housing advocacy is highly desirable.
• Local and state travel may be required. A valid driver’s license or access to alternate means of transportation is desirable.
• Demonstrated commitment to achieving racial and economic justice.

RHLS offices are located in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Wilmington, DE. This position is hybrid with time in the office expected as needed, but primarily opportunities to work remotely.

Our salary range is **$72,000 – $150,000** depending on experience.
– 0–3 years relevant experience: **$72,000 – $85,000**
– 4–7 years relevant experience: **$90,000 – $120,000**
– 8+ years relevant experience: **$120,000 – $150,000**

FLSA: Exempt

## Application Process & Deadlines

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to: **[email protected]** with “Staff Attorney” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; however, preference will be given to applications received by **June 15, 2026**.

RHLS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or status regarding public assistance. We seek to build diversity, equity, and inclusion both within our organization and in partnership and allyship with the communities we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, those from low-income or working-class backgrounds, people with lived experience of housing insecurity, and people with disabilities. We strongly encourage applicants from these groups to apply. We invite all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal practice.

We hope to hear from you!

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# Summary of RHLS Benefits

## Working Hours

RHLS has a flex time policy that allows staff, with approval from the Executive Director, to work the required minimum weekly 35 hours during times outside of a standard 9–5, M–F schedule.

## Paid Time Off

• 13 paid holidays
• 15 sick days (1.25 per month), with up to 30 days carryover
• 15 vacation days per year for the first 2 years; 21 days per year after 3 years (unused vacation converts to discretionary time)
• 4 personal days per year (1 per quarter; no carryover)
• 6 weeks parental leave for birth, surrogacy, adoption, foster care, or emergency custody
• Sabbatical leave: 4 paid weeks after every 7 years of full-time employment

## Health Insurance

RHLS pays **100% of health insurance premiums** for all family members (unless covered elsewhere). Two Independence Blue Cross options: PPO or DPOS.

Benefits begin the first day of the month following the start date.
Employees who opt out receive **50% of a single-person premium** added to salary (taxable).

## Dental Insurance

RHLS pays 100% for family members (if not covered elsewhere) through Principal. Cleanings fully covered; other services subject to limits and deductibles.

## Vision Insurance

RHLS pays 100% for family members (if not covered elsewhere) through Principal. Includes annual exams and allowances for lenses/contacts/frames.

## Disability

RHLS pays for both short-term and long-term disability.

– Short-term: begins day 15, lasts up to 11 weeks, pays 66.67% of salary (max $1,500/week)
– Long-term: begins after 11 weeks, pays 60% of salary (max $8,000/month)

## Life & AD&D Insurance

RHLS pays for a **$70,000** life insurance policy for each staff member. Employees pay taxes on $20,000 of that benefit per IRS rules.

## Flexible Spending Accounts

Employees may make tax-exempt contributions for medical and dependent care costs.

## Employee Assistance Program

No-cost, confidential support for employees and families, available 24/7/365 through Magellan Health.

## Retirement

RHLS automatically funds a **403(b)** annuity after 6 months of employment.
Employer contribution starts at **5%** and increases with years of service:

– Years 1–2: 5.0%
– Years 3–4: 5.5%
– Years 5–6: 6.0%
– Years 7–8: 6.5%
– Year 9: 7.0%
– Year 10+: 7.5%

Employees may contribute immediately. Current provider: Empower.