Staff Attorneys, Tenant Rights Coalition (Bronx)

Staff Attorneys, Tenant Rights Coalition

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer.

Notice of Immediate Job Opening

Staff Attorney, Tenant Rights Coalition

Bronx Legal Services is the largest provider of free civil legal services in the borough and is part of Legal Services NYC's network of local programs throughout New York City. Bronx Legal Services' mission is to fight poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice on behalf of low-income New Yorkers.

Bronx Legal Services Tenant Rights Coalition (TRC) works on anti-displacement advocacy in the Bronx, focusing on supporting Bronx communities facing significant housing needs in light of rapid and potentially disruptive neighborhood changes and gentrification.

We are currently hiring law graduates or attorneys who are excited to work in a fast-paced environment and use creative strategies in the pursuit of justice. Responsibilities include representing clients in both individual housing matters, including eviction defense proceedings, and multi-plaintiff affirmative cases to address repairs, overcharges, harassment, and more. The TRC attorneys will appear in civil, supreme, and federal court as well as administrative proceedings. The TRC staff attorneys, as part of a team, will be expected to work closely with tenant organizers, tenant associations, and community partners to identify and address housing needs. The attorneys may conduct weekday, evening, and weekend outreach and off-site intake with our partners. The attorneys will also be expected to perform trainings for other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups.

The successful candidates should have :

• A commitment to public service and an understanding of the legal problems and needs of the poor;
• The ability to communicate effectively with low-income client communities and communities of color;
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced, and high-volume caseload;
• Experience working with community-based organizations and / or enthusiasm for partnering with community-based advocates and organizations;
• Experience and / or enthusiasm for working on advocacy in teams;
• Experience in housing, landlord / tenant, and / or related advocacy, preferred; and
• Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the communities we serve is strongly preferred.

Bronx Legal Services prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. As a social justice organization, we are committed to fighting for a workplace that is as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible for everyone. Our DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand, and work to realize our DEIB goals.

Our offices currently work on a hybrid model of in-person and remote work. Staff are expected to be in person approximately half the days of a pay period. Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include excellent health and dental insurance, an employer contribution to a pre-tax 403(b) pension plan, and generous leave time. Bronx Legal Services is a qualified employer for purpose Public Interest Loan Forgiveness.

Bronx Legal Services is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over 40 are all welcome and encouraged to apply. Bronx Legal Services acknowledges that applicants from groups that have been historically marginalized bring invaluable experience to the work and may not apply for positions unless they feel that they meet 100% of a job description's qualifications. In light of this, we recognize that many candidates might not be equally proficient in each area listed and encourage applicants who are impacted by LSNYC's work to submit their application despite any such reservations. LSNYC highly prioritizes advocates' professional growth and aims to work closely with staff looking to develop and advance their skills.

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.