Housing Paralegal

 The Safety Net Project (SNP) is one of thirteen independent projects at the Urban Justice Center. SNP provides direct legal and social services in the areas of public benefits access, homelessness, and tenant rights, in addition to engaging in policy advocacy and community organizing led by impacted community members (the Safety Net Activists). SNP is one of NYC’s Right to Counsel providers representing tenants facing eviction and is also active in various grassroots organizing campaigns fighting for systemic change. 

SNP seeks applicants for a Paralegal position in SNP’s housing practice. SNP’s Paralegals provide support to SNP’s attorneys in its high-volume landlord/tenant practice, while also handling some administrative cases under attorney supervision. SNP’s housing practice includes providing direct legal assistance and representation to tenants in eviction proceedings, plus some affirmative litigation and group representation.  

Primary Responsibilities  

• Communicate with clients by phone and through written correspondence, create and maintain client files, manage referrals and appointments, and conduct legal intake 
• Perform paralegal support and legal service tasks including preparing retainers, filing court papers, serving legal documents, drafting legal documents, preparing and filing subpoenas, and conducting legal research;  
• Obtain rent histories, NYCHA case files, Section 8 files, and conduct preliminary building/apartment research for housing cases.  
• Maintain a small caseload of non-court involved cases, handled under attorney supervision.  
• Work with SNP’s Staff Attorneys to resolve public benefits issues connected to SNP’s anti-eviction defense work by advocating to the Human Resource Administration on behalf of SNP clients by letter, phone, email, and in-person when necessary  
• Help clients obtain rental arrears assistance through government programs and private charities 
• Translate documents into Spanish and provide Spanish interpretation between SNP’s staff and clients during appointments, clinics, workshops and at court appearances when necessary  
• Assist SNP staff attorneys at tenant meetings, legal clinics, and workshops  
• Assist community groups with outreach to public housing and rent-regulated tenants in need of legal services and partner on cases, clinics and workshops 
• Ensure compliance with grant reporting and data entry requirements in SNP’s case management system 

Qualifications/Skills: 

• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-accredited paralegal program or Bachelor's 
• Though no specific knowledge of NYC housing law is required, knowledge of or experience working with tenants or in housing law is welcomed 
• Spanish language skills are very strongly preferred 
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to multi-task and manage a large workload 
• Knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite 
• Knowledge of or ability to learn Legal Server 
• Availability to work occasional evenings for tenant meetings and clinics 
• Strong writing and communication skills 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse populations 
• Experience assisting people in crisis is desirable 
• Ability to work independently at satellite office locations 
• Interest in, experience with and/or demonstrated commitment to grassroots efforts working towards social justice 
• A commitment of 2+ years is requested due to the steep learning curve of this position 
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, advocates and social workers 
• Great interpersonal communication skills and experience working with diverse communities