About this Supervising Attorney, Universal Access to Counsel role at Legal Services NYC
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income 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 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 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.
Bronx Legal Services seeks experienced housing attorney(s) to join the Universal Access to Counsel (UAC) supervisory team for our eviction prevention and housing practice.
Our Organization:
Bronx Legal Services is the largest provider of free civil legal services in the borough and is part of Legal Services NYC’s network of local programs throughout New York City. Bronx Legal Services’ mission is to advance society’s promise to the most vulnerable members that they are entitled to equal access to our legal system.
We are looking for candidates who are excited to work in a fast-paced environment and to use creative strategies in the pursuit of justice. Responsibilities include directly supervising the practice of several housing staff attorneys in a full range of housing matters and maintaining a small caseload. Supervising attorneys are expected to supervise regular appearances in civil, supreme, and federal court and administrative proceedings, review draft pleadings, motions, and court submissions, and support the filing of affirmative cases on behalf of tenants and tenant groups. The UAC subunit focuses specifically on implementing New York City's groundbreaking Right to Counsel law.
The supervising attorneys will work closely with the Housing Unit Director, Deputy Directors, and other Supervising Attorneys to shape the direction of the Housing Unit, develop and strengthen relationships with partner community organizations, and identify systemic housing-related trends that could be affected by strategic litigation.
Additionally, the ideal candidates will demonstrate:
- a passion for social justice and commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color;
- excellent analytical and writing skills; experience with housing issues and advocacy; and
- enthusiasm for partnering with community-based advocates and organizations.
- Proficiency in a second language spoken by members of our client communities (primarily Spanish) is preferred.
Prior supervisory experience, experience working with community-based organizations, and proficiency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the communities we serve is strongly preferred.
Our offices are currently working on a hybrid model of in-person and remote work. Staff are expected to be in-person for approximately half the days of a pay period. Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include excellent health and dental insurance, an employer contribution to a pre-tax 403(b) pension plan, and generous leave time.
How to Apply
To apply for the position, send a cover letter, resume, names of three references, and two recent writing samples below.
Bronx Legal Services is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, and transgender people are all welcome and encouraged to apply.
Dependent on work history and experience.
All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date 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.
