Description:
Queens Legal Services seeks a law graduate or attorney for its Tenant Rights Coalition unit.Program Description:
Queens Legal Services is part of Legal Services NYC's network of local programs throughout New York City. Queens Legal Services' mission is to fight poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice on behalf of low-income New Yorkers. Queens Legal Services' Tenant Rights Coalition (TRC) works on anti-displacement advocacy in Queens, focusing on supporting Queens communities facing significant housing needs in light of rapid and potentially disruptive neighborhood changes and gentrification.
We are hiring one law graduate or attorney who is excited to work in a fast-paced environment and use creative strategies in the pursuit of justice. Responsibilities include representing clients in both individual housing matters, including eviction defense proceedings, and multi-plaintiff affirmative cases to address repairs, overcharges, harassment, and more. The TRC attorney will appear in civil, supreme, and federal court as well as administrative proceedings. The TRC staff attorney will be expected to work closely with tenant organizers, tenant associations, and community partners to identify and address housing needs. The attorney may conduct weekday, evening, and weekend outreach and off-site intake with our partners. The attorney will also be expected to perform trainings for other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups.
Qualifications:
The successful candidates should have:
- A commitment to public service and an understanding of the legal problems and needs of the poor;
- The ability to communicate effectively with low-income client communities and communities of color;
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills;
- Strong organizational skills and ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced, and high-volume caseload;
- Experience working with community-based organizations and/or enthusiasm for partnering with community-based advocates and organizations;
- Experience and/or enthusiasm for working on advocacy in teams;
- Experience in housing, landlord/tenant, and or related advocacy, preferred, and
- Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the communities we serve is strongly preferred.
