Closing Date: 28th March, 2024
Description:
The Supervising Attorney reports to the Housing Director and Attorney-in-Charge, Brooklyn, and will be primarily responsible for the efficient provision of benefits advocacy in housing cases. The Supervising Attorney will coordinate and collaborate with the supervisor of Government Benefits Unit of Brooklyn to create Practice-wide training and advocacy programming for benefits advocates. The Supervising Attorney will be a mentor to and supervise experienced and new staff and provide legal leadership in working with other staff to prioritize legal issues. They will also provide support on grant projects. The Supervising Attorney participants in Practice-wide management discussions and decision-making and is responsible for maintaining relationships with other stakeholders in the legal, court, and service communities.Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
- Supervise, mentor, and train and paralegal casehandlers
- Participate in structural and strategical planning for the benefits work within the housing practice of their respective neighborhood office
- Identify office needs and resources needed for the Brooklyn Neighborhood Office and participate in management team responsibilities to meet those needs
- Represent clients in state and federal administration and court proceedings
- Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
- Foster and encourage teamwork and communication
- Reinforce and maintain staff accountability
- Assist with the implementation and reporting of programs including necessary grant reporting
- Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and supervise the implementation of legal strategies under the supervision and at the direction of the direction of the Director of Housing and in consultation with the Director of Government Benefits develop impact and/or affirmative litigation
- Respond to clients and community
- Assist with planning and conducting citywide and statewide coalition meetings and task forces
- Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials and the courts
- Represent the Civil Practice and Legal Aid in the community
- Conduct off-site intake, including during evening hours as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Admission to the NYS Bar and a willingness to apply for admission to the federal courts (S.D.N.Y., E.D.N.Y., Second Circuit) as it may become necessary
- Minimum of three years of legal practice required
- Minimum of one year of supervisory and management experience preferred or relevant experience such as leadership positions in a membership organization
- Experience in government benefits required
- Experience litigating in various judicial and administrative forums
- Excellent litigation skills, oral and written advocacy skills
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law, civil legal services, policy advocacy, administrative reform, and addressing fundamental issues of poverty and justice within a comprehensive civil legal services model of representation
- Experience conducting trainings preferred
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
- Commitment to exploring alternative approaches for legal practice
- Ability to work in a collaborative team model
- Proficiency in languages other than English preferred
Salary Transparency
The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.
