Description:
This position is a collaboration between the Community Access Programs Unit (CAP) and the Tenants' Rights Unit's Public Housing Justice Project (PHJP). CAP is comprised of multiple access to justice projects, and this position works with two of them: the Mobile Legal Help Center (MLHC) and the Safety and Stability Project, both of which bring free, civil legal services directly to individuals in their communities who would otherwise not be able to access such services. The MLHC is a mobile intake clinic that partners with community organizations and elected officials across the five boroughs to bring legal assistance directly to community members. The Safety and Stability project is a collaboration with UJA-funded partner organizations working with social workers to provide legal assistance to their clients. PHJP is the first team of legal advocates in New York City dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by public housing residents. Through court and administrative proceedings, PHJP works to ensure public housing residents have representation in termination of tenancy and succession rights proceedings at the NYCHA Office of Impartial Hearings (“OIH”) and representation in related Housing Court matters and Supreme Court Article 78 proceedings challenging adverse OIH decisions.CAP and PHJP seek an admitted attorney passionate about public interest law, social justice, public housing, and expanding access to justice who wants to protect tenants experiencing poverty from eviction and homelessness and advocate for tenants' rights. This position would have a housing-focused caseload comprised of referrals from the MLHC, UJA partner sites, and PHJP intakes. Many clients served by MLHC are Section 8 voucher holders, so this position will focus on resolving an array of Section 8 issues that affect underserved New Yorkers.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Staff MLHC clinics throughout New York City on a weekly basis and engage in other community outreach initiatives as needed .
- Conduct client intakes on general civil legal matters
- Provide advice and brief services to tenants from across the city
- Represent tenants in non-payment and holdover proceedings in Housing Court, which involves motion practice, discovery and depositions
- Negotiate and Advocate with opposing counsel and outside agencies on behalf of clients.
- Litigate before administrative agencies as necessary, including NYCHA termination of tenancy proceedings, Remaining Family Member Grievances, and proceedings where clients' Section 8 vouchers are being terminated.
- Engage with staff at partner organizations to identify, assess, and resolve clients' Section 8 legal issues.
- Engage in non-litigation advocacy to resolve clients' housing-related legal issues outside of court and administrative tribunals.
- Other duties as necessary.
Qualifications:
Requirements:
- Admission to New York Bar (May 2023 graduates who have passed the bar exam will also be considered)
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and social justice
- Excellent legal research and writing skills
- Litigation experience
- At least one year of experience representing tenants in NYC Housing Court preferred
- Fluency in Spanish and/or Russian preferred
