Staff Attorney - Legal- Tier 4

Juris Doctor

Category
Legal

Description:
Title: Staff Attorney – Tier 4

Location: New York City Metropolitan Area

Reports to: Supervising Attorney

Classification: Exempt

Employment Type: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Role Summary: The Staff Attorney – Tier 4 provides culturally competent legal services to low-income NAICA clients facing eviction, including full representation in Housing Court and related proceedings. This role represents the highest-level staff attorney position, requiring advanced litigation expertise, independent case strategy development, and meaningful contributions to team performance, mentorship, and program effectiveness.

Primary Job Responsibilities/Duties:
The job duties of the Staff Attorney – Tier 4 include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Providing legal counseling and assistance to clients to support housing stability and prevent eviction.
• Managing a full caseload of non-payment and holdover proceedings in Housing Court, including matters in the NYCHA part, with a high level of independence and expertise.
• Handling litigation before administrative agencies, as necessary, including NYCHA termination hearings.
• Representing tenants in court appearances, hearings, and trials, including complex, high-exposure, and precedent-setting matters.
• Preparing legal documents, including pleadings, motions, orders to show cause, stipulations, and other filings, with minimal supervision and a high degree of accuracy.
• Evaluating the merits of cases and identifying key legal and factual issues in matters referred by the court, the Department of Social Services, or through self-referrals.
• Developing and implementing advanced case strategies, including negotiation, settlement, and trial planning.
• Serving as a resource to team members by providing guidance, informal mentorship, and legal insight to junior attorneys and staff.
• Conducting outreach, including facilitating educational workshops and trainings for tenants and community members.
• Demonstrating a strong commitment to public interest law and social justice.
• Attending professional meetings, educational conferences, and trainings to maintain and enhance legal knowledge.
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation, including case records, progress notes, and data systems (both physical and electronic).
• Maintaining strict client confidentiality and adherence to professional standards.
• Managing time effectively, prioritizing workload, and ensuring adherence to court and organizational deadlines.
• Collaborating with other departmental staff and interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive client services.
• Performing administrative and clerical duties, as needed.
• Developing and maintaining effective communication with internal programs to facilitate referrals and coordinated service delivery.
• Providing coverage for other program areas, as needed.
• Performing additional duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk, stand, kneel, crouch, and bend.
• Ability to lift, reach, and handle objects weighing up to 25 pounds, as needed.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to travel to various locations within New York City, as required.

Work Environment / Schedule Requirements:
May at times be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays based on organizational needs, deadlines, or events.

Qualifications:

• Must be admitted and remain currently registered to practice law in the State of New York.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience practicing law, specifically in litigation.
• Demonstrated and substantial experience working in a trial setting.
• Proven experience managing cases and clients from intake through resolution, including complex or high-volume matters.
• Experience working with low-income individuals and underserved communities is preferred.
• Strong familiarity with New York City housing law and public benefits is preferred.
• Bilingual fluency (English/Spanish) is preferred.
• Advanced ability to anticipate legal issues and apply strategic, analytical reasoning.
• Ability to work effectively and lead within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Excellent communication, organizational, research, and writing skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and team-building abilities, with the capacity to support junior staff.
• Strong time management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrates professional ethics, integrity, maturity, and sound judgment.
• May be subject to employer-specified drug testing.
• May be subject to checks before and/or during employment.