Housing Staff Attorney

Housing Staff Attorney

The Safety Net Project (SNP) is one of thirteen independent projects at the Urban Justice Center. SNP provides direct legal and social services in the areas of public benefits access, homelessness, and tenant rights, in addition to engaging in policy advocacy and community organizing led by impacted community members (the Safety Net Activists). SNP is one of NYC’s Right to Counsel providers representing tenants facing eviction and is also active in various grassroots organizing campaigns fighting for systemic change.

SNP seeks applicants for a Housing Staff Attorney. SNP’s Staff Attorneys provide direct legal representation to tenants in landlord-tenant cases, including civil proceedings in NYC Housing Court, affirmative litigation, and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) administrative hearings and appeals. We are seeking attorneys who are looking for a creative and non-traditional environment, working with passionate and dedicated professionals in the fight against gentrification, displacement, and racist housing systems.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and representation to tenants in eviction proceedings and some affirmative litigation, including non-payment and holdover cases, housing repairs cases, NYCHA administrative proceedings, and group litigation.
• Conduct all aspects of litigation such as pleadings, motion practice, discovery, hearings, and trials, and appeals as needed.
• Conduct legal intake and evaluate clients’ legal needs at SNP’s various legal clinics, Right to Counsel intake days at Bronx Housing Court, and on a citywide Tenant Helpline.
• Provide Know Your Rights education and technical assistance to tenants and community partners on topics related to landlord-tenant law.
• Staff outreach clinics, attend tenants’ association meetings, and participate in other work-related events during evening hours from time to time.
• Working across disciplines by collaborating with other attorneys, advocates, and social workers to assess and address client needs.

Qualifications

Applicants must be admitted to practice in New York or have a pending admission to practice in New York, and demonstrate:

• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and oral communication skills
• Applicants with between 0 - 10 years of litigation experience in landlord-tenant law will be strongly preferred.
• Strong anti-oppression and social justice analysis and lens, including a deep commitment to racial justice and housing justice work.
• Aptitude for tenacious negotiation and advocacy.
• Ability to balance an active caseload and travel between the main office, satellite office, outreach sites, and courts.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including flexibility and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, advocates, and social workers.
• Great interpersonal communication skills and experience working with diverse communities.
• Spanish proficiency is strongly preferred.