Supervising Attorney - Housing

Legal Services NYC•New York, NY

1d•$108,847 - $174,155•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) is seeking a Supervising Attorney for its Housing Unit at Staten Island Legal Services (SILS). LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country, dedicated to fighting poverty and promoting racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. SILS focuses on critical legal needs including housing preservation, foreclosure prevention, domestic violence representation, government benefits, immigration, and advocacy for various marginalized communities. The Housing Unit specifically works to preserve affordable housing and prevent family displacement by representing low-income tenants in eviction proceedings and engaging in affirmative litigation against abusive and discriminatory conduct. The Supervising Attorney will play a key role in managing and supporting the unit's advocacy efforts, including supervising advocates in obtaining government benefits, carrying a small caseload, and providing coverage in housing court. This role involves collaboration with the Unit Director on client intake, representation before administrative agencies, and case strategy, including for eviction defense and affirmative impact litigation. The position reports to the Unit Director and supports administrative and grant-related responsibilities.

Requirements

A J.D. from an accredited law school.
Admitted to practice in New York.
Minimum 4 years of relevant litigation and advocacy experience, particularly related to housing, public benefits, and rent subsidies.
Experience working in a supervisory role and/or leadership role.
A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
Excellent analytical, written, and communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to provide supportive and consistent supervision to staff in a fast-paced and high-volume practice.
Experience working with diverse low-income communities and familiarity with structural and systemic racism and its intersection with poverty.
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 Staten Island’s low-income communities is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to jump-start litigation or community-based campaigns and to collaborate with other staff to see such initiatives through to fruition.

Responsibilities

Supervise advocates in obtaining government benefits for clients, including CityFHEPS, FHEPS, SCRIE/DRIE, SNAP, Cash Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, and Social Security.
Ensure tenants facing eviction or at risk of eviction secure necessary government benefits and assistance to prevent default judgments and unnecessary eviction filings.
Carry a small caseload and provide supervision and coverage in housing court when necessary.
In collaboration with the Unit Director, supervise client intake, representation before administrative agencies (including DHCR), and case strategy and litigation planning, including for eviction defense cases and affirmative impact litigation.
Implement the Unit’s litigation and advocacy work.
Support administrative and grant-related responsibilities associated with the Unit’s work.