Tax Attorney

Project Description

Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS) seeks a staff attorney for the Brooklyn Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (BLITC). This is a one-year, temporary position with the possibility of renewal depending on future funding.

BLS, part of Legal Services NYC, provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn’s diverse low-income population. BLS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients: preventing evictions, fighting wage theft and employment discrimination, securing access to tax benefits and refunds, preserving affordable housing, improving access to education, accessing and maintaining pension benefits, addressing immigrants’ rights, accessing essential public benefits, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability and mitigating the effects of domestic violence, and advocating for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, people with disabilities, elders, and veterans.

Founded in 2000, BLITC assists low-income Brooklyn and Staten Island residents facing a broad array of income tax issues. BLITC provides comprehensive representation, advice, and referral to low-income clients in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. In collaboration with community-based organizations, BLITC also provides educational workshops on tax rights and responsibilities relevant to low-income taxpayers, particularly immigrants and those who speak English as a second language. 

BLITC is part of BLS’ Workers’ Rights and Benefits Unit (WRBU), which brings together diverse projects focused on economic justice advocacy for workers and their communities. The WRBU helps low-income clients gain access to and retain jobs and benefits through advocacy centered on employment, income tax, pension benefits, unemployment benefits, and education law. The unit’s structure encourages collaboration among WRBU advocates across practice area lines as appropriate to address client and community needs.

LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. As a social justice organization, we are committed to fighting for a workplace that is as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible for everyone. Our DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff at all levels and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand, and work to realize our DEIB goals.

Responsibilities

The staff attorney will provide counsel and representation to individual taxpayers at all stages of the controversy cycle, ranging from administrative advocacy in examinations, appeals, and collections to litigation in the U.S. Tax Court and District Court. Other responsibilities include developing and presenting community educational workshops in collaboration with BLITC staff and advocacy partners. The position offers opportunities to engage in policy advocacy to improve service delivery to low-income taxpayers and address systemic issues in the field. 

Experience and Qualifications

We seek an attorney admitted to the New York State Bar with:

• A demonstrated passion for social, racial, and economic justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color to advance equity;
• Litigation experience;
• Tax law experience (preferred);
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills;
• Ability to work with clients in crisis;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle diverse, fast-paced, and high-volume caseloads; and
• Fluency or strong proficiency in a second language (preferred).

How to Apply

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to bkhiring@lsnyc.org. Please write “Tax Attorney” in the subject line of the email. Please, no telephone calls.

Salary and benefits are determined by the LSNYC Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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 LGBTQ+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job#48_2023; Posted: 6.2023

Salary Range (Based on years’ experience):

·        1-10 years: $73,593 -$96,664

·        11-20 years: $98,875 - $116,730

·        21+ years: $122,117 - $133,304