Staff Attorney-QUEENS, Preserving Affordable Housing Program

Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Since 1968, Brooklyn A has provided free legal services for low-income residents of Brooklyn, pursuing neighborhood-based mission of justice, empowerment, and community development. For over half a century, we have utilized an array of legal and advocacy strategies—community organizing, affirmative civil rights litigation, and eviction defense to defend the rights of individuals and families. Collaboration with the city, state, and federal officials to enforce housing laws and develop legislative solutions is also an integral part of our strategy. Brooklyn A has three core programs—Preserving Affordable Housing (PAH) Program, Consumer & Economic Advocacy (CEA) Program, and Community & Economic Development (CED) Program—each of which has unique initiatives and plays a vital community role to ensure basic needs are met and fundamental rights affirmed. Brooklyn A seeks Staff Attorney for its Queens-based Preserving Affordable Housing program with at least 3 years’ landlord litigation experience to include non-payment, holdover, HP, 7A, and harassment proceedings in Housing Court as well as Supreme Court. The work will include frequent motion practice, discovery, depositions, communication with clients, negotiations with opposing counsel and advocacy with outside agencies on behalf of clients. To be successful in this role, you must have Admission to the bar of the State of New York. You should have a passion for social justice and helping and representing clients in low-income tenant groups, community organizations, and coalitions. As a valued team member, you will have a client-based focus and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

Admission to the bar of the State of New York
Passion for social justice and helping and representing clients in low-income tenant groups, community organizations, and coalitions
Client-based focus and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Experience working with clients in the nonprofit sector, low-income tenant groups, community organizations and/or coalitions
Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with client/tenants of different races, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment
An understanding of the City’s housing market and/or experience in housing law practice
Ability to work independently with strong motivation, to manage a high caseload, to meet deadlines, and to be flexible
Have excellent legal writing, litigation and advocacy skills
Computer proficiency sufficient to independently review and generate materials relevant to the position
Language proficiency relevant to our clients, especially Spanish

Responsibilities

Motion practice
Discovery
Depositions
Communication with clients
Negotiations with opposing counsel
Advocacy with outside agencies on behalf of clients
Maintain up-to-date client information in Brooklyn A’s case management system to ensure accurate data collection and statistical tracking
Collaborate as needed with program managers and development team to write narrative reports for grant and contracts
Attend meetings, and perform administrative tasks related to the work, such as timekeeping and case notes
Demonstrated ability to publish articles effectively advocating on behalf of clients and Brooklyn A
Willingness, desire, and ability to attend evening meetings.