Project Description

Brooklyn Legal Services seeks Staff Attorney for Tenant Rights Coalition

Brooklyn Legal Services, part of Legal Services NYC, provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn’s diverse low-income population. BLS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients — preserving affordable and decent housing, maintaining income support, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability and mitigating the effects of domestic violence, and advocating for the disabled.

The Tenant Rights Coalition (“TRC”) is a citywide initiative dedicated to anti-displacement work in neighborhoods facing heighten gentrification and tenant displacement, in particular due to recent rezoning actions by the city. The TRC utilizes a movement lawyering model and involves close collaboration with tenant organizing groups. Brooklyn Legal Services’ TRC unit, which is based in Brownsville, has nearly 30 staff comprised of supervisors, attorneys, paralegals, and essential staff. Our dedicated staff of housing advocates work with individuals and tenant groups to prevent evictions and support collective tenant action, often in partnership with community based organizers and tenant associations. The work of the TRC focuses on East New York, Brownsville, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Experience and Qualifications

We seek an attorney admitted to the New York State Bar with:

 A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low income communities and communities of color to advance equity;

 Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills;

 Strong interest in working with clients in crisis;

 Strong organization skills and ability to handle diverse, fast paced, and high volume case load;  Litigation experience (preferred);

 Fluency or strong proficiency in a second language (preferred); and

 Background in organizing or strong ties to Brooklyn low-income communities (preferred).

The Staff Attorney will represent tenants and groups in Housing Court eviction proceedings, administrative proceedings, Supreme Court actions against administrative agencies, impact litigation in Federal and other courts, and other litigation. Other duties include intake, community education, and community outreach. The position may be located in our East New York/Brownsville office.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to bkhiring@lsnyc.org. Please write “TRC Attorney” in the subject line of the email.  Please, no telephone calls.

Salary and benefits are determined by the LS-NYC Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Original Post Here