Closing Date: 3rd May, 2024

Description:

The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice is seeking an experienced and talented lawyer with a deep commitment to public interest practice and policy. The Director of Economic Equities Project will join a dedicated citywide team of managers, attorneys, and paralegal casehandlers, across all five boroughs who are representing NYC residents as part of the Consumer Law Project, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, the Foreclosure Prevention and Home Equity Preservation Project, and Community Development Project.

The Consumer Law Project provides representation in various administrative and judicial forums across New York City and legal assistance, legal advocacy, and education to clients who are vulnerable to the abusive practices of unscrupulous lenders and creditors. They handle issues such as access to financial services, debt collection, debt settlement company abuses, credit fraud, identity theft, medical debt, student loans, and bankruptcy. The Consumer team also engages in community and legal education, support to peers throughout The Legal Aid Society, technical assistance to other legal services providers, and systemic advocacy to protect and define the rights of lower income New Yorkers in matters of Consumer Law. The Director of Economic Equities will serve as the direct supervisor of the Consumer Law Project.

The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) operates a Citywide helpline and provides direct legal services to eligible residents from all five boroughs of New York City. The LITC helps taxpayers who have personal income tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service or the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. It provides training to members of the community, technical assistance to community-based organizations, and works with Statewide advocacy coalitions on improving the rights of taxpayers. The LITC also engages in legislative and administrative advocacy, impact litigation, outreach and community education, provides trainings and workshops, and works alongside our pro bono partners and volunteers from leading law firms and to increase the capacity of our work.

The Foreclosure Prevention and Home Equity Preservation Project assists homeowners in Bronx and Queens who are struggling to maintain homeownership or who are facing foreclosure. These legal services are available to homeowners residing in 1-4 family homes, cooperatives and condominiums in the Bronx and Queens. Their services include, but are not limited to: Representation in Foreclosure Actions, including appearances at Settlement conferences; Resolving Disputes with the Mortgage Lender or the Mortgage Servicer; Dealing with Property Taxes and Water and Sewer charges; Advocacy or litigation in tax lien foreclosures; Filing Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy; and Representing victims of deed theft.

The Community Development Project represents microentrepreneurs and small businesses, community?based nonprofit organizations, Housing Development Fund Companies (HDFCs), and tenant groups working to preserve affordable housing in incorporating, board development, contract and lease negotiations, employment-related legal issues such as worker classification, unemployment insurance, tax issues, and other issues with the potential to cause economic shocks that would impact business stability. CDP also helps stabilize and grow existing businesses and works throughout New York City with community groups seeking to improve their neighborhood and empower low?income residents, organizations that provide technical services and resources to small businesses, and government agencies and elected officials seeking to help businesses recover after major disasters.

Although the Director will be based in a Civil Practice neighborhood office, they will have citywide responsibilities for the Units and will need to travel to other Civil Practice offices to provide supervision.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Supervise staff attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers in Consumer Law Project
Supervise managers of Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, Foreclosure Prevention and Home Equity Preservation Project, and Community Development Project; supervise staff of these units as needed
Supervise client representation in State and federal administrative and court proceedings
Monitor client service and maintain a high standard of representation
Coordinate intake
Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy and supervise the implementation of legal strategies
Develop impact and/or affirmative litigation
Assist with the implementation and reporting of programs
Provide oversight of pro bono initiatives
Respond to client, staff, and community concerns
Assist with planning and conducting citywide and statewide coalition meetings and taskforces
Develop skills and knowledge of staff members
Foster and encourage teamwork, communication, and staff accountability
Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials and the courts
Conduct community education, training and outreach
Other duties as assigned

Deadline is 3:00 PM EST for Date Listed
May 3, 2024

Location:
Citywide

Requirements:

Minimum of five years of legal practice with a specialization in consumer preferred
Experience litigating in various forums, including administrative, State and/or federal courts
Excellent litigation, oral and written advocacy skills
Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law and civil legal services
Demonstrated commitment to policy advocacy and administrative reform
Admission to NYS Bar
Supervisory and management experience preferred
Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
Commitment to exploring alternative approaches for legal practice
Ability to work in a collaborative team model
Pro bono, government, public service, small business, and academic experience will be considered, but is not required
Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required