Bronx Legal Services seeks an experienced housing attorney to lead the management team for our eviction prevention and housing practice.
About Us

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 advance society's promise to the most vulnerable members that they are entitled to equal access to our legal system. The Housing Unit currently has approximately 40 attorneys and is growing. It will have a budget of approximately $7.1 million in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019. The Housing Unit represents low-income Bronx residents in Bronx Housing Court, administrative proceedings, and in affirmative cases challenging agencies and actors who threaten Bronx residents' ability to obtain and retain affordable housing. We also collaborate with local community-based organizations to provide housing rights trainings to other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups.

Responsibilities & Qualifications:

The Director will coordinate overall leadership of our housing practice with the Director of our Tenants Rights Coalition Unit and will lead our Universal Access to Counsel in Housing Court initiative, which is working to implement the NYC law mandating universal access to legal counsel in eviction proceedings. The Director will shape the direction and manage the operations of the Housing Unit; develop and strengthen relationships with partner community organizations; handle administrative and grant responsibilities; oversee the work of several Supervising Attorneys and two Deputy Directors; and work to identify systemic housing-related trends that could be affected by strategic litigation.

The successful candidate should have:

Minimum of 5 years housing litigation experience
Demonstrated expertise in local, state and federal housing law and policy, housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits
Excellent legal writing, litigation, and advocacy skills
Strong interpersonal, teaching/training and organizational skills
Prior supervisory experience, experience working with community-based organizations, is strongly preferred. Proficiency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the communities we serve is also preferred.

How to Apply

To apply for the position, send a cover letter, resume, names of three references, and two recent writing samples via e-mail to:

Sandra Sanchez
ssanchez@lsnyc.org

The e-mail should include "Housing Unit Director" in the subject line.

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls.

Bronx Legal Services is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, and transgender people are all welcome and encouraged to apply.

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