Staff Attorney (Right to Counsel Unit)

Brooklyn Legal Services (‘BLS’) seeks Staff Attorneys for its Housing Law Unit – Right to Counsel Practice.

Brooklyn Legal Services is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) and provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn’s diverse low-income population. LSNYC’s mission is to fight poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country. Our staff of over 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps more than 110,000 New Yorkers annually. BLS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients — preserving affordable and decent housing, maintaining income support, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability and mitigating the effects of domestic violence, and advocating for older adults and people with disabilities.

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 DEIBcommittee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff 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. LSNYC provides numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including funding for continuing education (CLE) hours.

The Housing Law Unit – Right to Counsel practice preserves affordable housing for Brooklyn’s low-income communities through the representation of low-income tenants in eviction proceedings, collaboration with community-based organizations, and affirmative litigation to challenge abusive and discriminatory behaviors that displace low-income families and eliminate affordable housing. Our Unit has partnered closely with the Human Resources Administration (“HRA”) to launch and build a unit to support this ever-expanding Right to Counsel. The core of the team’s work is to provide zealous legal representation to Brooklyn tenants facing eviction in Housing Court and administrative proceedings through aggressive litigation and creative advocacy, including handling appeals at all levels. In addition, we preserve housing subsidies and public benefits for our clients through both individual representation and cutting-edge litigation. We also provide advice and community education to tenants throughout Brooklyn at legal clinics and through Know Your Rights training. 

Staff Attorneys’ responsibilities include: conducting intake and providing full legal representation in housing court proceedings to New York City tenants referred to LSNYC through the right to counsel initiative in NYC housing courts, and through other referral sources; litigating cases in housing court, administrative forums, appellate courts, and other state and federal courts on behalf of people facing eviction, and in affirmative cases challenging agencies and actors who threaten New York City residents' ability to obtain and retain affordable housing; developing expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits; providing legal advice and counseling to tenants as needed; conducting neighborhood-based legal clinics and know-your rights workshops; identifying trends and recurring issues for potential impact litigation; providing trainings to other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups.

Experience and Qualifications

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

• A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low income communities and communities of color to advance equity;

• Excellent analytical, written, and communication skills; • Strong time management and organization skills including the ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced caseload, and to prioritize and meet multiple and competing deadlines;

• Excellent persuasive writing, oral advocacy, and negotiation skills; • Minimum of 2 years of relevant litigation experience in landlord/tenant or related advocacy;

 • Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, with a high level of integrity;

• Fluency or proficiency in either Spanish or a language other than English that is frequently used by our clients is preferred;

• Strong ties to Brooklyn’s communities of color are helpful, but not required.

Health Recommendation 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.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to bkhiring@lsnyc.org. Please write “Housing RTC Staff Attorney” in the subject line of the email. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please. BLS offers an excellent benefits package and a highly competitive public interest salary. Benefits include health, dental, and vision plans; contributions to a 403(b) plan; and generous leave time. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Brooklyn Legal Services is an equal opportunity employer: people of color; women; people with disabilities; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people; and people over the age of 40 are welcome and encouraged to apply. We are committed to race, gender, and economic justice in our work and within our workplace. Staff members who are not managers are members of the LSSA/NOLSW UAW Local 2320.

Salary Range (Based on years of experience):

• 1-10 years: $74,881 - $98,355

• 11-20 years: $100,605 - $118,773

• 21+ years: $124,254 - $135,637

Last updated on Aug 15, 2024