Temporary Staff Attorney, Foreclosure

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

8d • $86,520 - $157,075 • Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice has a Temporary Staff Attorney position for a one-year term available in the Bronx Neighborhood Office’s (BxNO) Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit. The Temporary Staff Attorney represents homeowners defensively in foreclosure and related actions and in affirmative litigation addressing lending, real estate, and trust and estate abuses with the goal of preventing the loss of home, the loss of equity, and homelessness. The BxNO Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit consists of a supervising attorney, four staff attorneys and one paralegals. The BxNO team collaborates closely with the Queens Neighborhood Office’s Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit. Both Units partner with city and statewide advocates on policy advocacy and law reform issues and conduct community outreach and education. Following with the conclusion of this one-year assignment, the Temporary Staff Attorney will be eligible to apply for other available Staff Attorney positions or will be reassigned to an available Staff Attorney position within the Civil Practice.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor and 3 years of required experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• New York State Bar admission or awaiting NYS Bar admission after sitting for the NYS Bar exam
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil legal services
• A passion for economic justice

Nice To Haves

• At least three years working with homeowners to preserve their homes and/or protect their equity preferred
• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required
• Demonstrated knowledge of mortgage, property and related laws and regulations preferred
• Knowledge of trust and estates issues is preferred
• Litigation skills and experience preferred
• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team and manage a high volume of cases
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in state and federal court proceedings, affirmatively and defensively, regarding foreclosure, civil rights, consumer protection, estates administration, quiet title, and partition actions
• Represent clients at settlement conferences and other advocacy with lenders to obtain loss mitigation or other home-preserving solutions
• Conduct client intake (including offsite and in-person and occasionally in the evenings/weekends)
• Train, conduct community outreach, and provide education for individuals, local community-based organizations, and housing advocates
• Advocate with local, state and federal agencies on behalf of clients
• Play an active role in coalition meetings and advocacy, and collaborate with other groups and organizations which will require occasional travel in NYS, approximately 3-4 times annually, for key meetings, events, and other business-related activities. Flexibility in travel schedules is expected
• Advocate for legislative reforms and policy changes including continued funding for HOPP
• Work with pro bono lawyers and partner organizations
• Represent the Civil Practice and LAS in the community
• Promote the work of the office, the Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit and the Civil Practice
• Complete administrative tasks as assigned by supervisor, such as those related to grant reporting
• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• health insurance
• paid vacation
• disability
• life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• State and Federal loan forgiveness programs
• assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree