Legal Services NYC fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low income New Yorkers. For 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 almost 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 seeks a staff attorney to work in our central office representing public housing tenants in termination of tenancy cases and other proceedings citywide, as part of our work to implement New York City's new right to counsel law. 

LSNYC's housing practice represents low-income tenants in many different settings, including defending tenants in eviction proceedings in Housing Court and Supreme Court, representing tenants at administrative hearings, bringing affirmative litigation, and handling appeals at all levels. We also provide legal support to tenants who are collectively enforcing their rights and holding their landlords accountable, through tenant associations, campaigns, and coalitions.

The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities include:

 Providing intake and full legal representation in administrative proceedings to all eligible New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) tenants referred through LSNYC’s regular rotation at NYCHA's Administrative Hearings Office. These services are provided under a right to counsel system of representation, which will require the provision of full representation to all right to counsel-eligible tenants.

 Representing NYCHA tenants in Article 78 cases and appeals where required.

 Providing legal advice and counseling to tenants as needed.

 Travel to all LSNYC’s borough offices to be able to meet with the Staff Attorney’s clients in the LSNYC office that is most accessible to them.

 Identifying trends and recurrent issues for potential impact litigation.

 Some work on broader tenant rights litigation and legal support for tenant-led campaigns and organizing.

We seek candidates with the following:

 Applicants must have a J.D. from an accredited law school and be admitted to practice law in the state of New York.

 Excellent advocacy, litigation, analytic, writing, and leadership skills.

 Proven ability to handle a fast-paced position and a caseload generated by a “right to counsel” intake where all clients have a legal entitlement to representation.

 Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, conduct community outreach in low-income neighborhoods.

 Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.

 Experience in litigation and policy advocacy development.

 Fluency or proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred

Salary and benefits are determined by a collective bargaining agreement based on year of graduation.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should e-mail a cover letter and resume to: Jobpostings@lsnyc.org Please type on Subject line: Public Housing Staff Attorney

LSNYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color; women; people with disabilities; people over age 40; and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are welcome and encouraged to apply. Bar Association and other organizations: LSNYC welcomes your recommendations for qualified candidates, and asks that you encourage such candidates to apply. Job # 140_2019

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