Closing Date: 6th November, 2025

Description:

Job Description:
The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice Law Reform Unit is seeking an experienced, creative, and energetic lawyer for an available Staff Attorney position in the Homeless Rights Project (HRP). This position, in collaboration with a small team, is responsible for protecting and expanding the rights of homeless New Yorkers along with advocacy partner and institutional client Coalition for the Homeless. More specifically, the HRP Staff Attorney will be focusing on systemic reforms through a range of affirmative work relating to homelessness, including but not limited to representation of individual clients, organizations, groups and classes; legislative and press advocacy; community education and coalition building; and consulting and technical assistance for Legal Aid staff, other community, and legal service providers.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Participate as part of a team or individually in affirmative litigation in State and Federal Court proceedings
Work with pro bono lawyers on multiple long-term affirmative litigation matters in varying stages of litigation, including years-long monitoring and enforcement
Conduct policy advocacy on behalf of clients before the New York City Council and State Legislature, including the regular drafting and submission of testimony before various bodies of government and meetings with elected representatives and staff
Coordinate and collaborate with practices and units at Legal Aid, other legal assistance organizations, community groups, and organizations, and people with lived experience on a dynamic and wide range of advocacy strategies to promote the interests and rights of homeless New Yorkers
Advocate with local, State, and federal agencies
Represent individual clients in administrative hearings, State and federal court proceedings,
Collaborate regularly with Communications on press releases and media strategy to promote overall advocacy
Train Legal Aid staff, and staff in other organizations about homeless rights; engage in community outreach and education to individuals, local community-based organizations, and advocates; develop and produce training materials and maintain updated Know Your Rights
Occasional t off-site outreach and client intake, including during weekend and evening hours
Assist with staffing the Homeless Rights hotline
Report to LAS Development and Grant and Contracts as needed
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:

Admission to the New York State Bar
Excellent written and oral advocacy skills are required, including public speaking ability
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team and manage a high volume of cases, projects, meetings, and regularly shifting obligations
Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations, as well as foster constructive working relationships with colleagues and fellow advocates, particularly in the context of complex bureaucracies and in the face of conflict
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to work with pro-bono lawyers
Internal candidate must have fulfilled any Legal Aid Society commitments associated with their current position

Preferred Qualifications:
Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable but not required.