Job Description:
NYLAG has an immediate opening for a
temporary part-time staff attorney for six months in the Consumer Protection
Unit to staff the Consumer Debt Volunteer Lawyer for the Day Program (VLFD), in
the Bronx, Staten Island, and/or Queens. VLFD is a limited representation
court-based program, wherein attorneys and other volunteers represent debtor
defendants in court for that day/appearance only. VLFD pairs the defendants with
a volunteer attorney who can advocate on their behalf and prevent additional
abuse and misrepresentations by creditors. The attorney hired for this position
will have the unique opportunity to make a strong impact in an innovative,
court-based program designed to increase pro se litigants' access to justice in
an important and evolving area of law.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The attorney will be mostly
situated in the Personal Appearance Part of Bronx, Queens and/or Richmond
County Civil Courts to provide direct oversight of attorneys and law students
serving as volunteers in the Court for the Consumer Debt VLFD.
Responsibilities include:
reviewing stipulations negotiated by volunteers for VLFD, drafting answers,
orders to show cause, and other motions, affidavits and discovery demands
prepared by the self-represented litigant and/or the volunteer lawyers. The
attorney will also answer the substantive legal questions of volunteer lawyers;
evaluate and give feedback on the quality of the volunteer lawyers' services;
and represent pro se litigants on a limited appearance basis for the day. The
attorney will work closely with the Bronx, Queens and Richmond County CLARO
program, as well as local bar associations' pro bono programs.
When not working on the VLFD
Project, the attorney's will staff other intake sites as needed, represent
clients, conduct research and intakes, fulfill grant deliverables as needed,
and conduct community educational workshops. The attorney will also provide
services and representation for clients through a project in collaboration with
the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Qualifications:
NYLAG seeks a highly motivated attorney admitted to the NYS Bar with a
demonstrated commitment to public interest law. Applicants must have excellent
communication, research, and writing skills. Civil legal services, clinical,
fellowship, and/or clerkship experience required. Preference will be given to those applicants
with experience with consumer law and with supervisory experience. Preference also will be given to those
applicants with fluency Spanish |