Organization Overview:

Since 1968, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) has worked to advance social and economic justice and community empowerment through innovative, collaborative, neighborhood-based legal representation, and advocacy. We represent low- and moderate-income individuals and families throughout New York City. Our clients live in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods where many residents and small business owners have been displaced or are facing displacement and harassment.

We work in collaboration with an extraordinary coalition of neighborhood organizations throughout Brooklyn and their tenant and community organizers to preserve and expand affordable housing for lower-income residents. The work also involves representing low-income tenant associations confronting landlords harassing low-income residents and seeking to vacate buildings; individuals and families facing eviction; low-income tenant co-ops seeking to reinforce and sustain themselves; community institutions facing closures or adverse actions due to extraordinary market pressures and neighborhood displacement; low-income tenants in fair housing litigation; as well as community groups involved in struggles against pervasive housing discrimination, neighborhood segregation, and other issues critically affecting the future of their communities.

The Opportunity:

Brooklyn A seeks an attorney to join its Preserving Affordable Housing Program who will represent low-income tenants in Brooklyn facing eviction in court and before administrative agencies and bringing affirmative litigation. They will handle a full caseload of representation non-payment, holdover, HP, 7A, and harassment proceedings in Housing Court, which involves frequent motion practice, discovery, and depositions, communication with clients, negotiations with opposing counsel and advocacy with outside agencies on behalf of clients.

The attorney will also work to stop such pernicious practices in these communities by bringing innovative, affirmative litigation to protect tenants’ rights and their homes; defending tenants in eviction proceedings; representing tenants in administrative proceedings, and providing advice and legal services to help improve conditions in their homes and buildings. In collaboration with organizers from local community-based organizations and coalitions, they will conduct Know-Your-Rights housing workshops, clinics, and other educational outreach activities to ensure that tenants are aware of their protections under housing laws.

To be successful in this role, you must have Admission to the bar of the State of New York. You should have a passion for social justice and helping and representing clients in low-income tenant groups, community organizations, and coalitions. As a valued team member, you will have a client-based focus and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The most important competencies for the role are:

Experience working with clients in the nonprofit sector, low-income tenant groups, community organizations and/or coalitions;
Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with client/tenants of different races, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment;
An understanding of the City’s housing market and/or experience in housing law practice;
Ability to work independently with strong motivation, to manage a high caseload, to meet deadlines, and to be flexible;
Have excellent legal writing, litigation and advocacy skills;
Computer proficiency sufficient to independently review and generate materials relevant to the position;
Maintain up-to-date client information in Brooklyn A’s case management system to ensure accurate data collection and statistical tracking,
Collaborate as needed with program managers and development team to write narrative reports for grant and contracts;
Attend meetings, and perform administrative tasks related to the work, such as timekeeping and case notes;
Demonstrated ability to publish articles effectively advocating on behalf of clients and Brooklyn A;
Language proficiency relevant to our clients, especially Spanish; and
Willingness, desire, and ability to attend evening meetings.
How to apply:

If you are interested in this position, you must submit your resume and a cover letter telling us why your experiences would make you a good fit for this role to https://bka.bamboohr.com/jobs/. Applicants without a cover letter will not be considered.

Note: Due to the volume of applications we receive, we aren’t able to give status updates. If you are invited for an interview, you will be contacted directly.

Brooklyn A is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, a survivor of domestic violence status, or marital status.

See original posting here.