Staff Attorneys Right to Counsel

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial social and economic justice for lowincome New Yorkers. For over 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 more than 600 people in neighborhoodbased offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of communitybased and clientrun 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 lowincome New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development including access to our internal Justice Learning Center which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. Further LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and aims to create a work environment where everyone can bring their full selves to the work.

BECOME A CIVIL LITIGATOR PROTECTING THE HOMES OF NEW YORK CITY FAMILIES

Do you dream of using your legal skills to help real people and improve the lives of everyday New Yorkers Do you want to write your own briefs handle your own oral arguments and first seat a trial Are you interested in developing a substantively complex litigation practice with the support of a large citywide team Do you crave work/life balance Come join us and spend your days keeping New York City families in their homes and out of shelters while bringing unscrupulous landlords to justice!

Legal Services NYC is seeking lateral hires with at least2 years of legal experience to join our dynamic high impact housing practice. Were engaged in cutting edge litigation in every single day helping prevent evictions for tens of thousands of New Yorkers every year. We change lives and we change the law all while providing competitive salaries and bestinclass benefits.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Legal Services NYC seeks staff attorneys with 2 years of legal experience to join our robust Right to Counsel program representing lowincome tenants throughout New York City in eviction defense and other proceedings. Our Right to Counsel program is a civil defender practice helping implement New York Citys groundbreaking Right to Counsel law which seeks to ensure that incomeeligible tenants being sued by their landlords in Housing Court have attorneys to represent them.

Our housing attorneys develop deep expertise in the complex and fastevolving field of New York City housing law frequently advancing the law with creative and aggressive litigation. This is also a courtheavy practice meaning that our lawyers obtain trial oral advocacy and motion practice experience that can translate to virtually any area of law. We also engage in public policy giving many of our attorneys the opportunity to testify before public bodies concerning systemic issues affecting our clients.

For many of our housing lawyers the most important and rewarding part of the job is our clients. As a Legal Services NYC lawyer you will be directly representing your clients from intake to trial to appeal as needed. The practice of law often comes down to telling our clients stories in the halls of power and we take that obligation very seriously. The lifechanging nature of this work goes in both directions our work can change our clients lives and getting to know our clients often changes our lives in turn.

We are looking for smart driven and passionate lawyers seeking to grow their litigation skills and put their experience to use fighting to keep lowincome New Yorkers in their homes and out of shelters. While we expect our attorneys to carry significant caseloads and to litigate their cases zealously and competently we value our staffs worklife balance with the average attorney week requiring significantly fewer hours than corporate firms. We also provide substantial support to newer attorneys as well as laterals in terms of both onboarding training and ongoing supervision.

SALARY & COMPENSATION:

Salary depends on years of experience pursuant to our collective bargaining agreement. For example a fifth year starts at $97796 a tenth year at $110424 and a 15^th year at $123094. Employer contribution to the 403(b)retirement plan is 7 (no employee matching required).

Benefits include: exceptional healthcare with low copays (for which employees pay only 1 of their salaries per year) generous dental insurance a vision plan generous vacation days 21 days the first year; 28 days/year thereafter) that people routinely use plus 14 paid holidays and 18 sick days/year. We provide generous parental leave (six months) as well as coverage for fertility treatment.

The position is hybrid permitting 50 remote work job duties permitting.

Full Salary Range (based on years of experience):

• 110 years: $83119 $107208
• 1120 years: $109660 $129463
• 21 years: $ 135437 $147845

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducting intake and providing full legal representation in housing court proceedings to New York City tenants referred to LSNYC through the right to counsel initiative in NYC housing courts and through other referral sources.
• Litigating cases in housing court administrative forums appellate courts and other state and federal courts on behalf of people facing eviction and in affirmative cases challenging agencies and actors who threaten New York City residents ability to obtain and retain affordable housing.
• Developing expertise in housing court practice housing programs and subsidies and public benefits.
• Providing legal advice and counseling to tenants as needed.
• Conducting neighborhoodbased legal clinics and knowyourrights workshops.
• Identifying trends and recurring issues for potential impact litigation.
• Providing trainings to other advocates tenant associations community members and community groups.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A J.D. from an accredited law school 2 years of legal experience and admission (or seeking admission) to practice law in the State of New York.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in lowincome communities and communities of color to advance equity.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and conduct community outreach in lowincome neighborhoods.
• Excellent advocacy analytic writing and leadership skills.
• Strong time management and organization skills including the ability to handle a diverse fastpaced caseload generated by a right to counsel intake where clients may have a legal entitlement to representation.
• Experience in housing landlord/tenant or related advocacy preferred.
• Fluency or proficiency in either Spanish or a language other than English that is frequently used by our clients is preferred.

Inclusion Statement: Studies have shown that women people of color and members of the LGBTQIA community are more hesitant than others to apply for jobs where they fear they may not fully meet every single qualification listed. While the list of qualifications represents the qualities that we are looking for in applicants we are looking for the best candidate for the job. If you are interested in this position and have substantial relevant experience we encourage you to apply even if you do not fully meet every criteria listed above.

ABOUT US

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial social and economic justice for lowincome New Yorkers. For over 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 more than 600 people in neighborhoodbased offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of communitybased and clientrun 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 lowincome New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development including access to our internal Justice Learning Center which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. Further LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and aims to create a work environment where everyone can bring their full selves to the work.

ABOUT OUR BOROUGH OFFICES

Bronx Legal Services housing unit is the largest housing unit at LSNYC and serves the community with the highest need. The Bronx has the highest share of rent regulated and affordable units in NYC and our office strives to preserve the affordable housing stock allowing Bronx residents to stay in their homes. The office creates community across its teams frequently holding picnics potlucks and happy hours. The office is conveniently located in the South Bronx just 23 subway stops from Manhattan near the 2 and 5 subway lines and several bus lines making it easy to access from all over the City and surrounding areas.

Staten Island Legal Services housing unit delivers an outsized impact for the historically underserved communities of lowincome tenants in Staten Island. As a small tightknit team the Staten Island housing unit is able to tailor its work to the emerging needs of Staten Island communities as well as the evolving needs of its staff. The housing stock in Staten Island consists of public housing regulated housing and singlefamily homes leading to a multifaceted housing practice. The office is located conveniently near St. Georges transportation hub and the Staten Island ferry.

Queens Legal Services housing unit consists of a friendly cooperative team serving one of the most diverse communities in the world. This diversity is reflected in the exceptional food and culture available throughout the borough where more than 50 of the population is bilingual. The housing stock in Queens is also diverse including multifamily dwellings as well as singlefamily homes allowing Queens advocates to engage with a widevariety of housing litigation. The office is located conveniently across the street from Queens Housing Court near the E J Z and F trains as well as the Long Island Railroad.

Manhattan Legal Services housing unit represents tenants in the geographically smallest but most densely populated borough of New York City. Manhattans housing team is close and collaborative representing longterm tenants in iconic New York City neighborhoods like Harlem and Chinatown. The main Manhattan office is in Harlem near the historic Apollo Theatre Adam Clayton Powell Plaza and the A C 23 and 456 subways as well as many bus lines. Manhattan will also be expanding its downtown office near Housing Court and the 1 2 3 and A C E subway lines in January 2025.

Brooklyn Legal Services housing unit represents tenants in the most populous borough of New York City. Over the past few decades Brooklyn has experienced rapid gentrification and our housing advocates have been at the forefront of protecting Brooklyn communities. Housing Court in Brooklyn continues to be one of the most contentious and litigation heavy courthouses in the City. The downtown Brooklyn office situated in a bustling commercial area with access to every subway line and several bus routes fosters a strong sense of community that enhances our commitment to defending and advancing tenants rights and preserving Brooklyn neighborhoods.

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain uptodate COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

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.