Floating Supervising Attorney, Housing Justice Unit - Tenant Defense chez The Legal Aid Society

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice is seeking experienced and talented lawyers with a deep commitment to public interest practice and policy to join a dedicated Housing team as a Supervising Attorney in our Housing Justice Unit – Tenant Defense. The Housing Justice Unit- Tenant Defense has community-based offices in each of the boroughs. The Supervising Attorney could be placed in any of our Neighborhood Offices.

The Civil Practice’s Housing Justice Unit – Tenant Defense provides both eviction defense and affirmative litigation strategies to help advocate for our clients. Our Housing practice handles a broad range of individual tenant representation at the trial and appellate levels, including holdovers, nonpayment proceedings, HPs, Housing Authority administrative hearings, and state and federal court appeals, while our Housing Justice Unit - Group Advocacy practice represents low-income tenant associations and tenant groups in proceedings to enforce the housing maintenance code and maintain affordable housing.

The Supervising Attorney in conjunction with the local borough Director of Housing and/or Attorney-in-Charge of the Neighborhood Office will be responsible for the smooth and effective day-to-day operations of the Housing Justice Unit in the assigned office. The Supervising Attorney will also coordinate, mentor and supervise staff, provide leadership, and prioritize legal issues. The Supervising Attorney participates 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 staff attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers
• Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
• Collaborate and work closely with the Director of Housing, Housing Coordinators, and the housing, benefits and grants management teams on all aspects of the citywide housing practice
• Coordinate intake
• Respond to client, community, and staff concerns
• Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and supervise the implementation of legal strategies
• Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and the courts
• Conduct community education, training, and outreach and promote the work of the office, the Housing Practice, and the Civil Practice
• Other duties as assigned