Staff Attorney, Public Housing Justice Project

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services were virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 380 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job Description:

NYLAG’s Tenants’ Rights Unit (“TRU”) has a Staff Attorney position immediately available in its Public Housing Justice Project (“PHJP”). PHJP is the first team of legal advocates in New York dedicated to advancing the rights of public housing tenants. Attorneys on our team defend NYCHA tenants in Termination of Tenancy proceedings at the NYCHA Office of Impartial Hearings and in related Housing Court matters, litigate HP Actions, and are at the forefront of representing tenants living in RAD-PACT developments. PHJP’s litigation and outreach priorities are tailored in response to community need and feedback received from organizing partners across New York City. In addition to litigation, PHJP staff can participate in policy advocacy and legislative campaigns.

This role is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who is eager to develop their trial and writing skills and approach this work on both an individual and a systemic level. Many PHJP clients are facing the loss of their home due to allegations that they or a family member have had contact with the criminal legal system. PHJP attorneys practice at the intersection of the criminal legal and housing systems, working to provide complete representation to our clients and disrupt the systemic oppression that many NYCHA residents face. We are a collaborative, close-knit team, dedicated to a client-centered approach to Right to Counsel as movement lawyering.

TRU is an integral part of NYC’s Right to Counsel Coalition to ensure New Yorkers in communities that are burdened by systemic socioeconomic barriers who are at risk of eviction have the right to an attorney to represent them in Housing Court and certain administrative proceedings. TRU represents clients in a full range of tenants’ rights matters, including defending against evictions in housing court, advocating in administrative proceedings, and bringing affirmative litigation. TRU, which has an extremely committed, collegial, and hard-working team of about 65 staff attorneys, 17 paralegals, and 17 supervisors, is a great place to start or build your legal career and gain valuable litigation skills while combatting the threat of eviction and homelessness.

Responsibilities:

1. Represent NYCHA residents in Termination of Tenancy proceedings and Remaining Family Member grievances at the Office of Impartial Hearings as well as in related matters in other venues, including but not limited to holdovers, non-payments, or HP actions in Housing Court; and Article 78s in Supreme Court or the Appellate Division, as necessary.
2. Staff Right to Counsel intake appearances at the Office of Impartial Hearings.
3. Staff our community-based Advice and Counsel Clinics.
4. Participate in community outreach events.
5. Participate in cross-provider working groups.

Requirements:

1. Experience representing tenants in Housing Court, with a preference given to those with experience representing public housing residents and/or experience in administrative hearings.
2. Excellent writing skills and an interest in developing innovative arguments and theories of the case.
3. A collaborative attitude and interest in participating in team case rounds and brainstorming sessions.
4. Dedication to client-centered and culturally competent representation of public housing residents
5. A desire to take on the largest and worst landlord in New York City!

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

 ☒  Full-time

Professional Level:

 ☒  Professional

Salary: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $77,079 - $88,039.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

How to Apply: Please attach your cover letter and resume as a single PDF and name the file “Your Last Name, Your First Name NYLAG TRU PHJP Staff Attorney Application.”

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.