Staff Attorney/Legal Researcher & Writer

Description:

Organization Overview:
Since 1968, Build Up Justice NYC has provided free legal services for low-income residents of Brooklyn, pursuing neighborhood-based mission of justice, empowerment, and community development. For over half a century, we have utilized an array of legal and advocacy strategies—community organizing, affirmative civil rights litigation, and eviction defense to defend the rights of individuals and families. Collaboration with the city, state, and federal officials to enforce housing laws and develop legislative solutions is also an integral part of our strategy. Build Up Justice NYC has three core programs—Preserving Affordable Housing (PAH) Program, Consumer & Economic Advocacy (CEA) Program, and Community & Economic Development (CED) Program—each of which has unique initiatives and plays a vital community role to ensure basic needs are met and fundamental rights affirmed.

Position Summary:
Build Up Justice NYC seeks Staff Attorney/Legal Researcher & Writer for its Brooklyn-based Preserving Affordable Housing program. The Staff Attorney/Legal Researcher & Writer will be responsible for researching and writing briefs, motions, client discovery and litigation support. They will perform research, case analysis, and other writing work related to non-payment holdover, HP, 7A, and other proceedings in housing court. Working both with staff attorneys and minimally with clients, they will support the preparation, of documents necessary in the general course of litigation. They will also research and write collateral documents relating to the program's housing work for broader communications and advocacy work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and prepare written pleadings, motions, briefs and legal memoranda to support litigation and appeals;
• Prepare letters, complete forms, and request documents as requested;
• Perform intake, and provide written advice, and brief services to potential clients;
• Research and produce written collateral on program's housing work for broader communications and advocacy work; and
• Other related duties as assigned.

To be successful in this role, the candidate must have:

• Admission to the bar of the State of New York or eligible for admission;
• Minimum 2 years' experience working in New York civil and/or Federal, or other relevant public interest litigation; housing law preferable; and
• Minimum 2 years' experience working with clients in the nonprofit sector, low-income communities, community organizations and/or coalitions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, local organizations and people in desperate crisis;
• Demonstrated ability to interact with client/tenants of different races, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;
• Excellent legal research and writing skills in English, bi-lingual Spanish preferred;
• Ability to draft legal documents in high volume environment;
• Ability to work independently with strong motivation, to manage a high work load, track case data, meet deadlines, and to be flexible;
• Computer proficiency sufficient to independently review and generate legal briefs/writings;
• Attend meetings and perform administrative tasks related to the work, such as timekeeping and case notes;
• Basic knowledge of New York City and State housing laws and rules; and
• Thorough commitment to Build Up Justice's mission.

Compensation & Benefits:
Annual salary $82,229-$88,726 dependent on years of experience. Benefits highlights - 27 days vacation; employer paid health, dental and vision insurance; employer contribution to 401(k); and paid parental leave.

To Apply:
If you are interested in this position, you must submit your resume and a cover letter telling us why your experiences would make you a good fit for this role.

Build Up Justice NYC (BUJ) is a diverse team that is committed to recruiting, supporting, retaining, and promoting talented staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences that share the organization's commitment to racial, economic and social justice. At BUJ, diversity encompasses a variety of characteristics, lifestyles, and perspectives, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education, disability, socio-economic status, and family status. We firmly believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment is essential to both the quality of our client services and the personal satisfaction of our staff.

We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply, including women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, people from low-income backgrounds, and with lived experiences in the communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical disability, or length of time spent unemployed.

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