Job Description
The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice is seeking experienced and talented lawyers with a deep commitment to public interest practice and policy to join a dedicated team of managers, staff attorneys, social workers, supervisors and support personnel as a Supervising Attorney of the Government Benefits work of Housing Attorneys and Paralegal Casehandlers in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island offices.

The Government Benefits work may include but is not limited to representation, legal assistance, legal advocacy and education to clients who need income and related supports from city, state and federal programs. The Supervisor will provide support to housing advocates representing low- income tenants in housing-related matters who seek assistance relating to benefits cases, including rent arrears grants from city agencies and charities. They will supervise housing case handlers in their work which will include representing clients at administrative fair hearings and advocacy with NYC HRA and NYS OTDA to ensure they are receiving the maximum benefits to which they are entitled. They will coordinate with citywide initiatives related to all government benefits. They will also work with other Supervisors to build their substantive knowledge and skills related to public benefits generally, and rent subsidy and arrears advocacy in particular.

The Supervising Attorney reports to the Directors of Housing of the Bronx and Brooklyn Neighborhood Offices and will report to the Attorney-in-Charge of the Staten Island Office and will be primarily responsible for the efficient provision of benefits advocacy in housing cases. The Supervising Attorney will coordinate and collaborate with the supervisor of the Government Benefits Unit of the Bronx and Brooklyn Neighborhood Offices to create Practice-wide training and advocacy programming for benefits advocates. The Supervising Attorney will be a mentor to and supervise experienced and new staff, and provide legal leadership in working with other staff to prioritize legal issues. They will also provide support on grant projects. The Supervising Attorney participates in Practice-wide management discussions and decision-making and is responsible for maintaining relationships with other stakeholders in the legal, court, and service communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise, mentor, and train staff attorneys, paralegal supervisors, and paralegal casehandlers
Participate in structural and strategical planning for the benefits work within the housing practice of their respective neighborhood office
Represent clients in state and federal administrative and court proceedings
Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
Foster and encourage teamwork and communication
Reinforce and maintain staff accountability
Assist with the implementation and reporting of programs including necessary grant reporting
Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy and supervise the implementation of legal strategies under the supervision and at the direction of the Director of Housing and in consultation with the Director of Government Benefits develop impact and/or affirmative litigation
Respond to clients and community
Assist with planning and conducting citywide and statewide coalition meetings and task forces
Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials and the courts
Represent the Civil Practice and Legal Aid in the community
Conduct off-site intake, including during evening hours as needed
Other duties as assigned
Requirements

Admission to the NYS Bar and a willingness to apply for admission to the federal courts (S.D.N.Y., E.D.N.Y., Second Circuit ) as it may become necessary
Minimum of three years of legal practice required
Minimum of one year of supervisory and management experience preferred or relevant experience such as leadership positions in a membership organization
Experience in government benefits required
Experience litigating in various judicial and administrative forums
Excellent litigation skills, oral and written advocacy skills
Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law, civil legal services, policy advocacy, administrative reform, and addressing fundamental issues of poverty and justice within a comprehensive civil legal services model of representation
Experience conducting trainings preferred
Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
Commitment to exploring alternative approaches for legal practice
Ability to work in a collaborative team model
Proficiency in languages other than English preferred
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Please submit a cover letter, resume and a writing sample as a PDF when you apply via the LAS Recruitment Portal

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis so applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Only PDF documents will be accepted. If your document is not a PDF, your application will not be processed. Applications submitted without all the required materials will not be processed.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

The Legal Aid Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer -- women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ communities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.