Staff Attorneys, Housing UAC

The Opportunity:
Bronx Legal Services' Housing Unit is hiring attorneys for its spring and fall classes to work as part of New York City's Universal Access to Counsel in Housing Court initiative (UAC), which seeks to provide legal assistance to all tenants facing eviction in court. UAC attorneys will litigate cases in housing court, administrative forums, appellate courts, and other state and federal courts on behalf of people facing eviction. Attorneys may also litigate affirmative cases challenging agencies and actors who threaten Bronx residents' ability to obtain and retain affordable housing.

Housing Unit attorneys will develop expertise in housing court practice, public benefits, and housing programs and subsidies. The attorneys will be expected to perform community outreach and provide legal information, advice, and counsel, both in clinical and informal settings. The attorneys will also be expected to perform trainings for other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups. We are looking for candidates who are excited to work in a fast-paced environment and to use creative strategies in the pursuit of justice.

The anticipated start date for this position is April 2022 and September 2022.

Qualifications:
Bronx Legal Services is looking for law school graduates who are admitted to practice law in New York State or are eligible for admission for its spring and fall classes, and law students expecting to graduate in May 2022 and registered for the Bar Exam for its fall class.

Additionally, the successful candidate will have:

• A commitment to public service and an understanding of the legal problems and needs of the poor;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a low-income client community;
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced, and high-volume caseload.
• Experience in housing, landlord/tenant and or related advocacy, preferred; and
• Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the communities we serve is strongly preferred.