Closing Date: 23rd July, 2024

Description:

A 501 Non-Profit Legal Aid Provider Based in New York City's Civil Practice is seeking experienced and talented lawyers with a deep commitment to public interest practice and policy to join a dedicated Housing team as a Supervising Attorney in our Housing Justice Unit – Tenant Defense. The Housing Justice Unit- Tenant Defense has community-based offices in each of the boroughs. The Supervising Attorney could be placed in any of our Neighborhood Offices.

The Civil Practice's Housing Justice Unit – Tenant Defense provides both eviction defense and affirmative litigation strategies to help advocate for our clients. Our Housing practice handles a broad range of individual tenant representation at the trial and appellate levels, including holdovers, nonpayment proceedings, HPs, Housing Authority administrative hearings, and state and federal court appeals, while our Housing Justice Unit - Group Advocacy practice represents low-income tenant associations and tenant groups in proceedings to enforce the housing maintenance code and maintain affordable housing.

The Supervising Attorney in conjunction with the local borough Director of Housing and/or Attorney-in-Charge of the Neighborhood Office will be responsible for the smooth and effective day-to-day operations of the Housing Justice Unit in the assigned office. The Supervising Attorney will also coordinate, mentor and supervise staff, provide leadership, and prioritize legal issues. The Supervising Attorney participates in Practice-wide management discussions and decision-making and is responsible for maintaining relationships with other stakeholders in the legal, court, and service communities.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Supervise staff attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers
Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
Collaborate and work closely with the Director of Housing, Housing Coordinators, and the housing, benefits and grants management teams on all aspects of the citywide housing practice
Coordinate intake
Respond to client, community, and staff concerns
Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and supervise the implementation of legal strategies
Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and the courts
Conduct community education, training, and outreach and promote the work of the office, the Housing Practice, and the Civil Practice
Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Admission to the New York State Bar
Minimum of three years of legal practice preferred
Excellent litigation skills and experience litigating individual and group cases in various forums
Demonstrated commitment to addressing fundamental issues of poverty and justice within a comprehensive civil legal services model of representation
Knowledge in various practice areas within civil legal services practice
Excellent oral and written advocacy skills
Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law and civil legal services
Demonstrated commitment to policy advocacy and administrative reform
Experience working with vulnerable populations, including but not limited to seniors
Supervisory, mentoring, and management experience preferred
Demonstrated leadership ability
Grant-writing and fundraising experience
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
Commitment to exploring alternative approaches for legal practice
Ability to work in a collaborative team model
Pro bono, government, public service, and academic experience will be considered, but is not required
Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required