Housing and Benefits Attorney, CJP

Brooklyn Defender Services•Brooklyn, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks an attorney to join our Civil Justice Practice as a Housing and Benefits attorney. This role involves providing legal representation for individuals with concurrent criminal legal, family court, and immigration matters. BDS is a public defender office dedicated to representing low-income New Yorkers across criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal areas. For nearly 30 years, BDS has advocated in and out of court to protect the rights of individuals and to drive systemic change against injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise is concentrated on the intersections of legal systems that disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities living in poverty. BDS serves thousands of individuals annually with diverse and complex legal needs. Beyond zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers, and advocates offer a broad spectrum of legal and advocacy services, including in housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that benefit our clients, their families, and communities. The Civil Justice Practice's Housing and Benefits team handles cases ranging from brief advice and plea consultations for clients facing collateral consequences of arrest and conviction, to full representation in housing court and administrative hearings for clients facing eviction or termination from public housing, seeking essential repairs, or combating landlord harassment. We also represent and advocate for clients who have been wrongfully denied public benefits. Often, issues in family or criminal court are directly linked to landlord-tenant matters. A holistic advocacy model can yield positive outcomes in both proceedings; for instance, when neglect allegations in Family Court Article 10 proceedings stem from home conditions, our civil attorneys can advocate and file repair cases in housing court to ensure safe and healthy homes for clients and their families. Civil attorneys also work to ensure clients have access to public benefits, adequate housing through the NYC shelter system, and other entitlements. CJP attorneys serve as a resource for colleagues in other practice areas, expected to understand underlying cases and their intersection with civil legal issues to facilitate internal referrals, assist with intake, and consult on plea agreements and Article 10 settlements for improved client outcomes. Attorneys advocate for clients facing barriers to benefits and shelter, eviction proceedings, or needing assistance with unsafe housing conditions.

Requirements

Admission to the New York bar or eligibility to become admitted.
Prior experience providing direct legal services representation in eviction defense, public benefits advocacy or similar field.
Interest in strategizing issues for clients who face multiple interrelated issues.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to work across practices with colleagues concurrently representing clients.
Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and manage multiple deadlines and emergencies.
A willingness to learn multiple practice areas and a strong desire to develop a multi-disciplinary practice.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in a second language is a plus.

Responsibilities

Engage in direct representation of individuals and groups in housing and benefits matters in multiple civil and administrative forums.
Provide advice and counsel to criminal, family, and immigration defense colleagues and clients during ongoing proceedings.
Investigate and research potential policy and litigation avenues.
Research and write internal memoranda and train staff and outside organizations.
Consult with clients and community members and develop Know Your Rights resources.
Additional responsibilities as assigned.