Tenant Defense Law School Intern

Organization Overview:

BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social wellbeing. From toddlers to seniors we feed shelter teach and support our neighbors to build a stronger Bronx community. In all aspects of our work BronxWorks strives for the highest ethical and performance standards. We are guided by the belief that people must be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their present situation or past experiences. We have over 65 locations throughout the Bronx providing a variety of programs that assist in the areas of family children and youth support educational services senior services homelessness financial empowerment and workforce development among others. With over 50 years of experience supporting Bronx communities we are an employer of choice for those seeking a meaningful career in the social services field.

BronxWorks Legal Services Tenant Defense Program

The BronxWorks model aims to break the cycle of poverty through a holistic approach helping individuals and families transition from crisis to selfsufficiency. A key component of this continuum of support is BronxWorks Legal Services which provides free legal assistance to those seeking immigration stability facing eviction and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. Within BronxWorks Legal Services the Tenant Defense Program plays a vital role in securing housing stability for lowincome tenants. The program supports New York Citys groundbreaking Universal Access to Counsel initiative which ensures lowincome tenants the right to full legal representation in eviction proceedings.

Law School Summer Internship Opportunity

BronxWorks has Summer Internship opportunities within the Tenant Defense Program for Law School students eager to work in a dynamic setting and to advance every available legal strategy to secure optimal client results. The Tenant Defense Program offers an excellent opportunity to launch or grow a public interest legal career hone litigation expertise and meaningfully contribute to efforts to prevent displacement of Bronx communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct indepth legal research on housing laws eviction defense tenant rights and contribute to case strategy development by drafting pleadings motions affidavits and legal memoranda under attorney supervision.
• Engage in direct client counseling offering legal advice and guidance on tenant rights eviction defenses and housing subsidies in collaboration with supervising attorney or attorneys of record.
• Participate in courtroom advocacy including drafting motions supporting attorneys in witness preparation settlement hearings trials and administrative proceedings like NYCHA hearings or HP actions.
• Assist in settlement negotiations and mediation developing negotiation strategies and participating in settlement discussions under the guidance of a supervising attorney.
• Develop expertise in housing subsidies rent regulations and public benefits representing clients in administrative hearings and appeals to secure or preserve housing assistance.
• Assist with factfinding through witness interviews site visits and collecting evidence for use in court and administrative proceedings.
• Collaborate with attorneys in formulating complex litigation strategies preparing for appeals drafting appellate briefs and performing advanced legal research to address novel legal questions.
• Assist in legal education workshops and community outreach educating tenants on their rights under the Universal Access to Counsel initiative.
• Draft and file legal documents including discovery responses pretrial motions and client affidavits ensuring thorough preparation for court filings.

Required Qualifications

• Excellent research oral and written communication and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and concern for quality and accuracy.
• Excellent client service and interpersonal skills. Able to effectively communicate and build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds external resource providers and people experiencing crisis
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills including the ability to manage a diverse and fastpaced caseload multitask and produce quality work on tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office suite including Outlook Word Excel and Sharepoint and other standard business technology including electronic case management and communication systems.
• Must be able to work effectively within a team structure as well as independently.

Plus Factors

• Verbal and written proficiency in a language other than English especially Spanish or another language commonly spoken by Bronx residents.
• Prior professional experience assisting clients with housing subsidy applications such as emergency rent arrears assistance FHEPS CityFHEPS. Prior professional experience with public benefits assistance and advocacy.
• Prior paralegal experience in a litigation practice.
• Paralegal certificate.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in with lowincome and vulnerable populations and communities of color to advance equity.

BronxWorks Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

BronxWorks seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms conditions and privileges of employment including but not limited to recruitment hiring compensation training and employee development placement promotion demotion upgrading downgrading transfer layoff and termination. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race color gender sex age religion creed national origin ancestry citizenship marital status sexual orientation physical or mental disability medical condition military and veteran status gender identity or expression genetic information status as a victim of domestic violence or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process please contact