Supervising Attorney - Housing

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 Supervising Attorney position. SNP’s Supervising Attorneys provide supervision and support to SNP’s Staff Attorneys and Paralegals in its high-volume landlord/tenant practice, while also maintaining a reduced caseload. SNP’s housing practice includes providing direct legal assistance and representation to tenants in eviction prevention, plus some affirmative litigation and group representation. SNP’s Supervising Attorneys also work closely with the other housing supervisors to collectively manage SNP’s high-volume housing litigation practice.

Primary Responsibilities

• Directly supervise a small number of staff attorneys and paralegals
• Provide support to case handlers to analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and supervise the implementation of legal strategies, including reviewing written work and providing support in court as needed.
• Mentor staff attorneys and paralegals to ensure a high standard of legal representation and ongoing professional development.
• Maintain a reduced individual caseload, providing legal advice and representation to tenants in eviction proceedings and some affirmative litigation, including non-payment and holdover cases, housing repairs cases, and NYCHA administrative proceedings
• Conduct legal intake and evaluate clients’ legal needs at SNP’s various legal clinics, Right to Counsel intake days at Bronx Housing Court, and on a citywide Tenant Helpline
• Provide Know Your Rights education and technical assistance to tenants and community partners on topics related to landlord-tenant law
• Staff outreach clinics, attend tenants’ association meetings, and participate in other work-related events during evening hours from time to time.
• Working across disciplines by collaborating with other attorneys, advocates, and social workers to assess and address client needs.
• Ensure compliance with grant reporting and data entry requirements in SNP’s case management system
• Collaborate to maintain and strengthen SNP program policies, procedures, and protocols.

Qualifications

• Admitted to the New York State Bar
• Minimum 3 years of litigation experience in landlord-tenant law
• Excellent research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills
• Excellent litigation skills and experience litigating individual and group cases in various forums
• Familiarity with New York City Housing Authority administrative hearings
• A commitment to supporting, training, and mentoring housing staff attorneys and paralegals
• Sound strategic judgment and the drive to originate and effectuate practice improvements
• Strong anti-oppression and social justice analysis and lens, including a deep commitment to racial justice and housing justice work
• Aptitude for tenacious negotiation and advocacy
• Ability to balance an active caseload and travel between the main office, satellite office, outreach sites and courts
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including flexibility and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• 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
• Spanish proficiency is preferred