About NYLAG:
Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combating economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services are virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 370 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.
Job description
This position is a collaboration between the Community Access Programs Unit (CAP) and the Tenants' Rights Unit’s Public Housing Justice Project (PHJP). CAP is comprised of multiple access to justice projects, and this position works with two of them: the Mobile Legal Help Center (MLHC) and the Safety and Stability Project, both of which bring free, civil legal services directly to individuals in their communities who would otherwise not be able to access such services. The MLHC is a mobile intake clinic that partners with community organizations and elected officials across the five boroughs to bring legal assistance directly to community members. The Safety and Stability project is a collaboration with UJA-funded partner organizations working with social workers to provide legal assistance to their clients. PHJP is the first team of legal advocates in New York City dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by public housing residents. Through court and administrative proceedings, PHJP works to ensure public housing residents have representation in termination of tenancy and succession rights proceedings at the NYCHA Office of Impartial Hearings (“OIH”) and representation in related Housing Court matters and Supreme Court Article 78 proceedings challenging adverse OIH decisions.
CAP and PHJP seek an admitted attorney passionate about public interest law, social justice, public housing, and expanding access to justice who wants to protect tenants experiencing poverty from eviction and homelessness and advocate for tenants’ rights. This position would have a housing-focused caseload comprised of referrals from the MLHC, UJA partner sites, and PHJP intakes. Many clients served by MLHC are Section 8 voucher holders, so this position will focus on resolving an array of Section 8 issues that affect underserved New Yorkers.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Staff MLHC clinics throughout New York City on a weekly basis and engage in other community outreach initiatives as needed .
Conduct client intakes on general civil legal matters
Provide advice and brief services to tenants from across the city
Represent tenants in non-payment and holdover proceedings in Housing Court, which involves motion practice, discovery and depositions
Negotiate and Advocate with opposing counsel and outside agencies on behalf of clients.
Litigate before administrative agencies as necessary, including NYCHA termination of tenancy proceedings, Remaining Family Member Grievances, and proceedings where clients’ Section 8 vouchers are being terminated.
Engage with staff at partner organizations to identify, assess, and resolve clients’ Section 8 legal issues.
Engage in non-litigation advocacy to resolve clients’ housing-related legal issues outside of court and administrative tribunals.
Other duties as necessary.
Qualifications:
Admission to New York Bar (May 2023 graduates who have passed the bar exam will also be considered)
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and social justice
Excellent legal research and writing skills
Litigation experience
At least one year of experience representing tenants in NYC Housing Court preferred
Fluency in Spanish and/or Russian preferred
NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.
Employment type:
☒ Full-time
Professional Level:
☒ Professional
Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $75,199- $85,892 (commensurate with experience)
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.
Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.
Covid Vaccination Policy:Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.
NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change. |