Housing Justice Staff Attorney - Albany

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY•Albany, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York is seeking a Housing Staff Attorney based in its Albany office. The organization is a nonprofit civil legal services program serving sixteen counties in upstate New York through six regional offices. Its mission is to advance fairness, dignity, and justice for people living in poverty and to promote an inclusive and equitable society. The attorney will provide legal assistance to eligible households at risk of homelessness, helping prevent evictions, secure benefits and income support, and maintain or obtain permanent housing. The role includes eviction defense, tenant protections, housing subsidy and utility matters, emergency and ongoing assistance, and a broad range of legal and community-based advocacy. The attorney will work with government and nonprofit service providers and collaborate with LASNNY housing attorneys and paralegals. The role also includes work related to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program or Right to Counsel Program, data collection, systemic advocacy, and participation in the organization’s race equity priority and professional development plan. The position is based in a professional law office and may require occasional carrying of regular office supplies. It involves standard office equipment and software as well as remote videoconferencing platforms. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Training or experience in community lawyering or community organizing.
Strong listening and relationship-building skills.
Experience, creativity, and willingness to use varied legal and non-legal advocacy tools to advance community-identified initiatives.
Ability to speak Spanish or Chinese.

Responsibilities

Provide legal assistance to eligible households at risk of homelessness by preventing evictions, securing mainstream benefits, and making referrals to services that help households maintain permanent housing.
Collaborate with government and nonprofit agencies providing supportive services, income, shelter, permanent supportive housing, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services, and financial assistance.
Help homeless and at-risk residents maintain or secure permanent housing and the income necessary to retain it.
Provide eviction defense, assert tenant protections, and use applicable 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 needed for 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.
Perform work related to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program or Right to Counsel Program, including related data collection and compliance requirements.
Collaborate with LASNNY housing attorneys and paralegals to maximize access to services and address systemic issues that cause homelessness.
Participate in developing and implementing LASNNY’s race equity priority and the attorney’s professional development plan.