Staff Attorney, Public Housing Justice Project (New York)

Staff Attorney For Public Housing Justice Project

NYLAG's Tenants' Rights Unit (TRU) has a Staff Attorney position immediately available in its Public Housing Justice Project (PHJP). PHJP is the first team of legal advocates in New York dedicated to advancing the rights of public housing tenants. Attorneys on our team defend NYCHA tenants in Termination of Tenancy proceedings at the NYCHA Office of Impartial Hearings and in related Housing Court matters, litigate HP Actions, and are at the forefront of representing tenants living in RAD-PACT developments. PHJP's litigation and outreach priorities are tailored in response to community need and feedback received from organizing partners across New York City. In addition to litigation, PHJP staff can participate in policy advocacy and legislative campaigns.

This role is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who is eager to develop their trial and writing skills and approach this work on both an individual and a systemic level. Many PHJP clients are facing the loss of their home due to allegations that they or a family member have had contact with the criminal legal system. PHJP attorneys practice at the intersection of the criminal legal and housing systems, working to provide complete representation to our clients and disrupt the systemic oppression that many NYCHA residents face. We are a collaborative, close-knit team, dedicated to a client-centered approach to Right to Counsel as movement lawyering.

TRU is an integral part of NYC's Right to Counsel Coalition to ensure New Yorkers in communities that are burdened by systemic socioeconomic barriers who are at risk of eviction have the right to an attorney to represent them in Housing Court and certain administrative proceedings. TRU represents clients in a full range of tenants' rights matters, including defending against evictions in housing court, advocating in administrative proceedings, and bringing affirmative litigation. TRU, which has an extremely committed, collegial, and hard-working team of about 65 staff attorneys, 17 paralegals, and 17 supervisors, is a great place to start or build your legal career and gain valuable litigation skills while combatting the threat of eviction and homelessness.

This position on PHJP is for a one-year term to cover PHJP staff members taking parental leave. It is a permanent position; however, at the end of the parental leave period, the attorney hired for this role may transition to another team within TRU depending on staffing needs in late 2026.

Responsibilities :

• Represent NYCHA residents in Termination of Tenancy proceedings and Remaining Family Member grievances at the Office of Impartial Hearings as well as in related matters in other venues, including but not limited to holdovers, nonpayments, or HP actions in Housing Court; and Article 78s in Supreme Court or the Appellate Division, as necessary.
• Staff Right to Counsel intake appearances at the Office of Impartial Hearings.
• Staff our community-based Advice and Counsel Clinics.
• Participate in community outreach events.
• Participate in cross-provider working groups.

Requirements :

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 : The current salary range for this position is between $85,018 - $93,175.

Benefits : Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

How to Apply : Please attach your cover letter and resume as a single PDF and name the file Your Last Name, Your First Name NYLAG TRU PHJP Staff Attorney Application.

Covid Vaccination Policy : 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.