Staff Attorney, CAMBA Legal Services

Who We Are:CAMBA is a community of staff volunteers clients donors neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development Family Support Job Training & Employment Support Services Health Housing and Legal Services. We reach almost 80000 individuals and families including almost 13000 serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families are living in poverty reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

Program Overview

CAMBA Legal Services Inc. (CLS) is the legal services arm of CAMBA Inc. CLS provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers in the areas of consumer law foreclosure prevention immigration housing law and domestic violence addition to providing direct representation and providing legal advice and counsel to thousands of clients CAMBA attorneys also engage in legislative advocacy impact litigation in both state and federal court provide community education and offer expert training on a wide range of issues services that allow members of our community improve their lives

Position: Staff Attorney

Reports To: Program Manager

Location: 56 Bay Street 5th Floor Staten Island NY 10301

What The Staff Attorney Does:

The person filling this position is expected under the direction of the General Counsel to provide legal assistance to clients of CAMBA Legal Services including the following:

• Represent clients in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
• Conduct client intake and assessment of client cases.
• Provide advice and counsel in foreclosure litigation.
• Interview clients and witnesses as appropriate in preparation for litigation and/or court proceedings.
• Prepare legal documents conduct legal research negotiate work outs foreclosure consumer and housing proceedings.
• Advise clients of their rights laws rulings and regulations applicable to their case.
• Gather evidence to formulate defense or to institute legal action on clients behalf.
• Develop legal strategies arguments and testimonies in preparation for presentation of cases for trials hearings and oral arguments.
• File motions briefs pleadings legal memos and appeals with court clerk.
• Research and interpret laws rulings and regulations as they relate to clients cases.
• Coordinate follow up advocacy with lenders agencies providing financial assistance etc.
• Ensure paralegals conduct proper follow-up with all aspects of cases (i.e. proper filing and service of court documents follow-up with administrative and social agencies).
• Coordinate with other attorneys to ensure case/ intake coverage.
• Provide legal seminars and workshops for various organizations.
• Attend appropriate trainings.
• Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual report.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive client files including up to date case note documentation.
• Participate in and coordinate with other housing foreclosure prevention and consumer advocates.
• Record all court dates in the shared court calendar.
• May assist with billing of cases including the completion of billable hour forms and corresponding affidavits.
• May assist new attorneys in foreclosure and consumer work and/or with their housing court cases.
• May research and analyze law sources such as statutes recorded judicial decisions legal articles legal codes etc.
• May conduct outreach.
• May deliver or direct delivery of subpoenas to witnesses and parties to action.
• May follow up with clients and other organizations regarding client progress toward legal goals.
• May recommend and implement strategies to persuade clients to participate fully in their own legal process.
• May represent clients in Housing Court and administrative hearings before the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the New York City Housing Authority (Section 8) Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) etc.
• May advocate on behalf of clients when applications are denied i.e.-prepare advocacy letters etc.
• Tasks may be modified expanded and/or assigned over a period of time.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) Licensed to practice law in NY State

Other Requirements:

• Must be in good standing with NY State Bar
• Knowledge of and experience in foreclosure and housing law preferred
• Ability to analyze complex rent/mortgage breakdowns to determine proper amount of rent owed
• Ability to converse with clients in a language other than English preferred (Haitian/Creole French Spanish Russian etc.)

Compensation: $84000-$134254 annually
When salary ranges are listed the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and includes but is not limited to experience education budget and/or program size internal equity skills and other factors that may be required for the position and organization.

Status: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance dental insurance 403(b) retirement plan with employer match paid time off (vacation personal and sick time) and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color people with disabilities and lesbian gay bisexual and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race color religion creed gender gender identity gender expression national origin age disability socio-economic status marital or veteran status pregnancy status or sexual orientation.