Foreclosure Prevention Project Staff Attorney

Mobilization for Justice, Inc. (MFJ), a non-profit legal services organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers, is seeking a staff attorney for its Foreclosure Prevention Project. The position is full-time and is based out of our Manhattan office. The attorney will be part of a team that represents homeowners in New York Supreme Court in Queens, Kings, New York, Richmond and Bronx Counties, prosecutes federal fair housing and other mortgage-related actions, works in coalition with advocacy groups city- and state-wide on policy issues, analyzes and provides testimony on proposed foreclosure-related legislation; conducts trainings for lawyers, housing counselors, and homeowners, and communicates regularly with elected officials and the media.

MFJ’s mission is to achieve justice for all. MFJ prioritizes the needs of people who are low-income, disenfranchised, or have disabilities as they struggle to overcome the effects of social injustice and systemic racism. We provide the highest-quality free, direct civil legal assistance, conduct community education and build partnerships, engage in policy advocacy, and bring impact litigation. MFJ also promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace, and understands the need to eliminate all racial disparities to achieve justice for all. MFJ has a staff of more than 165 attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and support staff. It is a diverse, unionized, and collegial workplace where staff share the organization’s mission to achieve social justice.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting client intake; conducting legal research; drafting legal memoranda, advocacy

letters and other legal papers; and litigating all phases of cases including handling

settlement conferences, drafting complaints, engaging in motion practice, conducting

trials, writing, and arguing appeals and writing amicus briefs.

• Conducting outreach in the communities we serve, and training lawyers, community

groups and homeowners on the rights of homeowners in foreclosure.

• Staffing off-site legal clinics.
• Identifying issues for impact or class-action litigation or policy initiatives, including white

papers and legislative advocacy campaigns.

• Advocating and lobbying on issues of importance to homeowners and to the foreclosure

defense community.

• Participating in coalition meetings and being the MFJ point person for certain coalitions.
• Timely inputting and maintaining extensive records in a case management system.

Requirements:

• Admission to NYS Bar.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income populations.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and leadership roles.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Strong grasp of numbers and an understanding of the cost associated with lending products.
• Ability to balance working on complex litigation, handling individual casework, and

advocating for legislative or policy changes as well as traveling to various boroughs.

• Willingness to register as a lobbyist with New York City and New York State.

Preferences:

• Experience negotiating different residential mortgage loan modifications and working with

mortgage servicers.

• Experience litigating standing and claims under various consumer and homeowner

protection statutes.

• Fluency in Spanish, a Chinese dialect or another language spoken by immigrant

populations in New York City.

Salary is pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement with excellent fringe benefits. The salary

range for this position is $79,000 to $106,119.46.

Applicants should email a cover letter, resume and writing sample (preferably a brief or memorandum filed in court) to recruitment@mfjlegal.org with “FPP Staff Attorney” in the subject line. We encourage all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how their background or experience might contribute to the diversity and perspective of our office. Please indicate where you saw this ad. Early applications are appreciated. No telephone calls please.

For further information about MFJ, please go to www.mobilizationforjustice.org.

MFJ IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. BIPOC, women, people with disabilities, and LBGTQIA+ candidates are encouraged to apply.