Tenant Defense Summer intern

BronxWorks • New York, NY

6d • Onsite

About The Position

BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger Bronx community. In all aspects of our work, BronxWorks strives for the highest ethical and performance standards. We are guided by the belief that people must be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their present situation or past experiences. We have over 65 locations throughout the Bronx providing a variety of programs that assist in the areas of family, children and youth support, educational services, senior services, homelessness, financial empowerment, and workforce development, among others. With over 50 years of experience supporting Bronx communities, we are an employer of choice for those seeking a meaningful career in the social services field. BronxWorks Legal Services – Tenant Defense Program The BronxWorks model aims to break the cycle of poverty through a holistic approach, helping individuals and families transition from crisis to self-sufficiency. A key component of this continuum of support is BronxWorks Legal Services, which provides free legal assistance to those seeking immigration stability, facing eviction, and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. Within BronxWorks Legal Services, the Tenant Defense Program plays a vital role in securing housing stability for low-income tenants. The program supports New York City’s groundbreaking Universal Access to Counsel initiative, which ensures low-income tenants the right to full legal representation in eviction proceedings. Summer Intern, Tenant Defense Program Opportunity BronxWorks has Summer Internship opportunities within the Tenant Defense Program for Law School students eager to work in a dynamic setting and to advance every available legal strategy to secure optimal client results. The Tenant Defense Program offers an excellent opportunity to launch or grow a public interest legal career, hone litigation expertise, and meaningfully contribute to efforts to prevent displacement of Bronx communities. The program, which runs from June 1 to August 14, is 100% in-person at our office at 818 River Avenue and at the Bronx County Housing Court.

Requirements

• Excellent research, oral and written communication, and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and concern for quality and accuracy.
• Excellent client service and interpersonal skills. Able to effectively communicate and build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds, external resource providers, and people experiencing crisis.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills including the ability to handle tasks from a wide variety of stakeholders with competing deadlines, and produce quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Sharepoint, and other standard business technology, including electronic case management and communication systems.
• Must be able to work effectively within a team structure as well as independently.

Nice To Haves

• Verbal and written proficiency in a language other than English, especially Spanish or another language commonly spoken by Bronx residents.
• Prior professional experience assisting clients with housing subsidy applications, such as emergency rent arrears assistance, FHEPS, CityFHEPS. Prior professional experience with public benefits assistance and advocacy.
• Prior paralegal experience in a litigation practice or paralegal certificate.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in with low-income and vulnerable populations and communities of color to advance equity.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth legal research on housing laws, eviction defense, tenant rights, and contribute to case strategy development by drafting pleadings, motions, affidavits, and legal memoranda under attorney supervision.
• Engage in direct client counseling with attorney supervision, offering legal advice and guidance on tenant rights, eviction defenses, and housing subsidies.
• Participate in courtroom advocacy, including drafting motions, supporting attorneys in witness preparation, settlement, hearings, trials, and administrative proceedings like NYCHA hearings or HP actions.
• Assist in settlement negotiations and mediation, developing negotiation strategies and participating in settlement discussions under the guidance of a supervising attorney.
• Develop expertise in housing subsidies, rent regulations, and public benefits, representing clients in administrative hearings and appeals to secure or preserve housing assistance.
• Assist with fact-finding through witness interviews, site visits, and collecting evidence for use in court and administrative proceedings.
• Assist in legal education workshops and community outreach, educating tenants on their rights under the Universal Access to Counsel initiative.
• Draft and prepare legal documents, including discovery responses, pre-trial motions, and client affidavits.
• Interns may have the opportunity to shadow and assist attorneys as they formulate complex litigation strategies, prepare for appeals, draft appellate briefs, and perform advanced legal research to address novel legal questions.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees