Staff Attorney - Housing (Ithaca)

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.•Ithaca, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Ithaca office of LawNY® seeks to fill an immediate opening for a full time Staff Attorney in its Housing Unit. The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal representation, primarily in eviction defense cases in Tompkins County. The candidate must have the caring, patience, and emotional maturity to help people with low-income overcome crisis situations. Staff Attorneys at LawNY® provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients and the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of how civil legal issues affecting communities with low-income intersect with social and economic justice.

Requirements

Admitted to practice and in good standing in New York State.
Demonstrated commitment of service to people with low-income.
Excellent oral and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

Litigation and advocacy experience in state and/or federal court and/or administrative forums within at least one related area of poverty law, especially landlord-tenant, foreclosure, bankruptcy, homelessness prevention, fair housing, and/or government benefits.
Experience working with individuals and communities facing barriers to accessing resources, opportunities, services or justice.
Applies understanding of bias and systemic inequities related to socio-economic status, race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, genetic information, national origin, familial status, and language, to improve client access, engagement and outcomes.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a commitment to trauma-informed and culturally responsive services.
True fluency in a language other than English that is spoken by our clients.

Responsibilities

Maintain a full-time caseload representing eligible clients served by our Eviction Prevention Unit.
Develop and maintain specialized knowledge in housing matters, particularly: landlord-tenant, subsidized housing, and government benefits.
Provide legal services to low income clients and client groups regarding these matters including advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy.
Interact respectfully with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, with an awareness of the importance of cultural competence and humility.
Collaborate with other LawNY® advocates, human services providers, non-profit organizations and community groups as well as the courts, administrative tribunals and the private bar to address legal problems within our community, including providing community legal education.
Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment for fellow employees.
Cooperate in all grant reporting requirements, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing and compliance review.
Maintain a high level of professional competence through attendance of training sessions, seminars and conferences and individual efforts to keep abreast of current developments in the area of poverty law and the application of an equity lens to client service.

Benefits

94% Employer paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer paid in-network deductible
100% Employer paid Dental Insurance
100% Employer paid Life Insurance
100% Employer paid Enhanced Short-term Disability
100% Employer paid Long-term Disability
Vision Insurance
20 Paid Vacation days per year
12 Sick days per year
5 Personal days per year
13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year
35-Hour Work Week
Hybrid Work Schedule (new staff are able to work from home up to 3 days per week. After 6 months, this increases to 5 days per week with Manager approval, as workload permits)
Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program(PSLF)