Housing Justice Staff Attorney - Albany

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY•City of Albany, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY), a nonprofit civil legal services program, is seeking a Housing Staff Attorney for the Albany office. LASNNY's mission is to fight for fairness, dignity, and justice for those living in poverty and for a society that is inclusive and equitable for all. They aim to transform lives, build communities, and empower people by using the law to address individual and systemic wrongs and inequities. The service area spans sixteen counties in upstate New York, encompassing six regional offices, with this position based out of the Albany office. LASNNY is a unionized program offering excellent benefits, including generous time off, health insurance with premiums primarily paid by LASNNY, long-term disability insurance, retirement contributions, tuition reimbursement, qualifying moving expenses, and flexible hybrid-remote and alternative work schedules. The organization values a diverse, inclusive workforce and provides equal employment opportunity, strongly encouraging applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQI+ persons, protected veterans, applicants and recipients of public assistance, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Requirements

Must be licensed to practice law in NYS or be eligible for admission.
Law Graduates will be considered if they have taken the bar exam.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to helping low-income and disadvantaged people overcome institutional barriers to employment, safety, housing, and income support.
Must demonstrate the provision of assertive, compassionate victim sensitive trauma-informed services to victims of domestic violence.
Must be able to communicate effectively with clients and staff.
Must be able to work independently and efficiently.
Must be able to problem solve and work collaboratively with community partner agency staff.
Must be willing to travel throughout our service area.
A car and a clean valid New York driver's license are required.
Strong computer, administrative, reporting, and data entry skills required.

Nice To Haves

Training or experience in community lawyering or community organizing.
Demonstrated strong listening and relationship-building skills.
Experience, creativity, and willingness to use varied legal and non-legal advocacy tools to advance community-identified initiatives.
The ability to speak Spanish or Chinese is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide legal assistance to eligible households at risk of homelessness by preventing evictions, securing mainstream benefits, and making referrals to services that will enhance the household's ability to maintain permanent housing.
Work collaboratively with government and nonprofit agencies that provide supportive services, income, shelter, permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services, and financial assistance, assist the homeless and at-risk residents.
Provide legal assistance in maintaining or securing permanent housing and the income necessary to retain permanent housing. Legal assistance will include eviction defense, asserting protections for tenants and and fully utilizing the law to preserve tenancies and keep people safe in housing.
Protect public and subsidized housing tenancies and subsidies, address utility shut-offs or denials of service, and secure emergency assistance, ongoing temporary assistance, and other income support necessary to achieve housing stability.
Provide a full range of legal services, including counsel and advice, referrals, representation in administrative hearings, affirmative and defensive litigation, systemic advocacy, community legal education, outreach and engagement, and community lawyering.
Serve as experts in Emergency Rental Assistance Program or Right to Counsel Program; related data collection.
Ensure compliance with requirements and work collaboratively with other LASNNY housing attorneys/paralegals to maximize access to LASNNY services and address systemic issues that cause homelessness.
Participate in the development and implementation of LASNNY's race equity priority and their professional development plan.