Public Housing Justice Project Supervising Atto...

Description:

Job Description:
The Public Housing Justice Project (“PHJP”) within NYLAG's Tenants' Rights Unit (“TRU”) is the first team of legal advocates in New York solely dedicated to the rights of public housing residents. Created in response to the full implementation of Right to Counsel at the NYCHA Office of Impartial Hearings (“OIH”) in 2021, PHJP staff attorneys represent NYCHA residents in Section 9 and Section 8 termination proceedings and grievances at the OIH, as well as in nonpayment and holdover proceedings, HP Actions and Article 78s in judicial fora across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. PHJP maintains a robust outreach practice with monthly community clinics and outreach events.

PHJP is looking for an experienced attorney with strong leadership and management skills who is passionate about community lawyering, asserting tenants' public housing rights, fighting hard to defend NYCHA tenants in termination of tenancy proceedings, and asserting claims on behalf of NYCHA tenants across various venues in New York City. In this role, you will supervise PHJP staff attorneys in their representation of NYCHA and RAD-PACT residents, and collaborate with the Project Director and other TRU supervisors on internal referrals, case assignments, and cross-team collaboration. PHJP consists of five Right to Counsel staff attorneys, one Section 8 specialist, one fellow, and one paralegal. PHJP supervisors also periodically provide outreach support at PHJP events across New York City.

You will be joining a collaborative and collegial management team consisting of 19 Supervising Attorneys, two Associate Directors, and a Director, [AL1] which works closely to shape the direction of the unit, strengthen and support its litigation and advocacy, develop trainings, coach and mentor staff, and identify systemic housing issues to raise the level of practice. The ideal candidate will have some supervisory and/or leadership experience as an attorney (or in another role) and extensive experience representing NYC tenants in NYCHA termination of tenancy proceedings, non-payments, holdovers, and HP Actions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction, train, supervise, and mentor attorneys, paralegals and interns
• Review and revise attorneys' written legal work to enhance its efficacy and equip staff to improve their legal writing
• Prepare staff attorneys and paralegals to excel at administrative and court appearances and appear with them as necessary
• Oversee NYCHA intake and supervise TRU's hotline with other supervisors
• Manage internal and community partner NYCHA-related referrals
• Ensure compliance with grant reporting and data entry requirements in case management system and files
• Model and maintain a professional and collegial work environment that fosters excellent legal outcomes, effective teamwork, and clear communication
• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and the courts;
• Support PHJP outreach events across the city
• Participate in working groups and other meetings regarding the implementation of Right to Counsel
• Collaborate and provide trainings and know-your-rights workshops to staff and community members.

Qualifications:

• At least five years of experience as an admitted attorney
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and social justice
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team
• Admitted to New York Bar
• At least two years of experience representing tenants in NYC Housing Court and NYCHA administrative proceedings
• Have strong interpersonal, communication, time management and organizational skills. Ability to multi-task, work independently in a fast-paced environment and to be flexible.
• Supervisory experience as an attorney a plus
• Fluency in Spanish, French, Russian, Haitian Creole, Bengali, or another foreign language prevalent in NYC a plus
  

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