Staff Attorney - Housing Unit (Tenant Rights Coalition)
About The Position
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) is the largest civil legal services provider in the country, dedicated to fighting poverty and seeking justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, LSNYC has addressed systemic injustices and provided essential legal services in areas such as housing, income, family stability, education, and healthcare. With over 600 employees across five boroughs, LSNYC collaborates with numerous organizations to maximize its impact and champion equity. Staten Island Legal Services (SILS), a part of LSNYC, offers high-quality legal representation to Staten Island's diverse low-income populations, focusing on critical issues like housing preservation, domestic violence, immigration, foreclosure prevention, and educational advocacy. SILS is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), fostering an environment that encourages learning, understanding, and advocacy for racial justice. The Tenant Rights Coalition (TRC) within SILS is focused on protecting tenants' rights, preventing harassment and displacement, and preserving affordable housing, particularly on Staten Island's North Shore. The TRC team partners with individuals and tenant groups to prevent evictions and support collective tenant action.
Requirements
- A J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Admitted to practice in New York.
- Minimum of 4 years of litigation experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in local, state, and federal housing law policy, housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and/or public benefits.
- Experience litigating affirmative cases on behalf of groups of tenants including motion practice and discovery.
- Strong interpersonal, teaching/training, and organizational skills.
- Experience working with diverse low-income communities and familiarity with structural and systemic racism and their intersection with poverty.
- Commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
- Excellent leadership, analytical, oral, and written communication skills.
- Strong interest in working directly with clients, specifically clients in crisis.
- Strong time management and organizational skills.
Nice To Haves
- Strong ties to or understanding of the Staten Island low-income communities.
- Prior supervisory experience.
- Experience working with grassroots organizations.
- Experience supporting community-based organizing.
- Experience with policy, legislative, and media advocacy.
- Spanish language fluency.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and support to fulfill the TRC mission.
- Manage daily operations of the team.
- Work in collaboration with SILS’ Director of Litigation to identify and pursue impact litigation.
- Supervise regular appearances in civil, supreme, federal court and administrative appearances, both virtually and in person.
- Review draft pleadings, motions, and court submissions.
- Supervise paralegals in housing advocacy work.
- Assist attorneys and paralegals with developing case strategy and litigation plans.
- Support the filing of affirmative cases on behalf of tenants in State and Federal courts.
- Strengthen relationships with community partners by proactive outreach and coalition building.
- Collaborate with the Housing Director and staff to identify opportunities for group litigation and tenant empowerment.
- Oversee and conduct weekday, evening, and weekend outreach and off-site intake with our partners.
- Lead training sessions both internally and externally, including “Know your Rights” training, and other legal trainings.
- Inspire the team to engage in creative strategies to preserve housing and build tenant power.
- Handle administrative and grant responsibilities, including compiling and assessing data in response to inquiries and as required by funders.
- Handle a small caseload and assist in handling emergency cases.
- Report to the Unit Director and assist the Unit Director as needed in support of the team, including tasks related to onboarding and training of new staff.
- Aid in supervision of in-person work activities in court and the office, and supervise a hybrid in-person and remote work housing legal team.
Benefits
- Opportunities for growth and professional development.
- Access to internal Justice Learning Center for free CLEs and trainer experience.
- Hybrid remote work policy.
- Excellent benefits package.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
