Staff Attorney - Tier 0

Description:
Title: Staff Attorney – Tier 0

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 0 provides culturally competent legal services to low-income NAICA clients facing eviction, including appearing in Housing Court and related proceedings. The role requires a strong commitment to public interest advocacy and housing preservation.

Primary Job Responsibilities/Duties:
The job duties of the Staff Attorney – Tier 0 include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Providing legal counseling and assistance to clients to support the maintenance of housing stability.
• Managing a full caseload consisting of non-payment and holdover proceedings in Bronx Housing Court, including cases in the NYCHA part.
• Handling litigation before administrative agencies, as needed, including NYCHA termination hearings.
• Conducting outreach activities, including facilitating educational workshops and training for tenants and community members.
• Representing clients in court appearances, hearings, and trials.
• Preparing legal documents, including pleadings, motions, orders to show cause, stipulations, and other related filings.
• 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.
• Demonstrating a commitment to public interest law and social justice.
• Attending professional meetings, educational conferences, and in-service training.
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation, including case notes and data entries, in both physical and electronic systems.
• Maintaining strict client confidentiality at all times.
• Upholding a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Managing time effectively and prioritizing workload to meet deadlines.
• Collaborating with other departmental staff and interdisciplinary teams.
• Performing general administrative and clerical duties as needed.
• Developing and maintaining effective communication with other programs and units within the organization to support coordinated services and referrals.
• Providing coverage across program areas, as needed.
• Performing additional duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk, stand, kneel, crouch, and bend over.
• Ability to lift, reach, and handle objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods.
• Ability to travel to different locations within New York City, as needed.
• 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 have a pending application for admission to practice law in the State of New York.
• Experience practicing law is preferred.
• Exposure to litigation, particularly in a trial setting, is preferred.
• Experience with case and client management, from intake through resolution, is preferred.
• Experience working with low-income individuals and underserved communities is preferred.
• Familiarity with New York City housing law and public benefits is preferred.
• Bilingual fluency (English/Spanish) is preferred.
• Ability to anticipate legal issues and apply analytical reasoning.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strong communication, organizational, research, and writing skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong time management 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.