Staff Attorney - Housing Help Program - Bronx

The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice is seeking a staff attorney to join the Housing Help Program (HHP) in the Bronx Office. The HHP provides clients with legal and social services, with the dual objectives of preventing the immediate threat of homelessness, and stabilizing families over time to reduce the risk of homelessness in partnership with social services agencies. The HHP is structured as an early-intervention model targeting tenants from specific neighborhoods, screening and conducting intake when they are first sued in Housing Court, or need an affirmative case brought to preserve their housing and prevent homelessness.

The housing practice handles a broad range of individual and group tenant representation at the trial and appellate levels, including holdovers, nonpayment proceedings, Housing Authority administrative hearings and State court appeals. The staff attorney will also work with tenant associations, community-based organizations and pro bono attorneys to help obtain repairs and essential services, and conduct regular off-site intake for applicants for legal services.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Client representation in City, State and federal court proceedings, administrative hearings and affirmative litigation
• Training, community outreach and education to individuals, local community-based organizations and housing advocates
• Conduct policy advocacy
• Coordination and collaborative work with other groups and organizations
• Represent the Civil Practice and Legal Aid in the community
• Conduct community education, training and outreach and promote the work of the office, the Housing Law Practice and the Civil Practice
• Work with pro bono lawyers
• Conduct off-site intake, including during evening hours

 SECONDARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience preferred and favorable consideration will be given to attorneys who have familiarity with housing law issues
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team and manage a high volume of cases
• Demonstrated commitment and experience in public interest law and civil legal services
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations
• Excellent organizational skills
• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required
• Admission to NYS practice is required

To Apply:  The Legal Aid Society is reducing its carbon footprint and therefore paper applications are not accepted.  All applicants must submit a their applications through the following URL: https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?c=1143211&d=ExternalCareerSite&r=5000179516706

The Legal Aid Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer -- Women, People of Color, Gays and Lesbians, Transgender People, Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.