Deputy Director/Supervising Attorney, Community & Economic Development Program

Organization Overview:

Since 1968, Build Up Justice NYC (formerly Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A) has provided free legal services for low-income residents of Brooklyn, pursuing neighborhood-based mission of justice, empowerment, and community development. For over half a century, we have utilized an array of legal and advocacy strategies—community organizing, affirmative civil rights litigation, and eviction defense to defend the rights of individuals and families. Collaboration with the city, state, and federal officials to enforce housing laws and develop legislative solutions is also an integral part of our strategy. Build Up Justice NYC has three core programs—Preserving Affordable Housing (PAH) Program, Consumer & Economic Advocacy (CEA) Program, and Community & Economic Development (CED) Program—each of which has unique initiatives and plays a vital community role to ensure basic needs are met and fundamental rights affirmed.

Position Summary:

Build Up Justice NYC's Community & Economic Development Program uses the tools of corporate and transactional law to promote racial, social, and economic justice across the communities of New York City. The CED Program represents: (1) small businesses struggling through the economic impacts of gentrification and the pandemic, especially with commercial lease issues; (2) community groups and non-profits that need legal support to start up, grow, stay in compliance, and achieve their goals; (3) worker-owned cooperatives and solidarity economy projects building more equitable ways of working and living; and (4) community activists fighting for equity for their communities and building grassroots power in movements for racial and economic justice.

The Deputy Director, as a team leader, will be responsible managing staff attorneys and other program staff to include providing feedback and mentorship and will represent the CED team at both internal and external events and/or meetings. In addition to managing their own case load, they will ensure that legal services are accessible and client- and community-centered.

Job Responsibilities:

• Coach and supervise the legal work of CED Program attorneys and assist attorneys with resolving representation strategies and professional responsibility obligations;
• Coordinate community legal education efforts, help develop legal advocacy resource materials, and promote and expand program access across the city;
• Provide oversight of program and grant compliance;
• Draft and coordinate preparation of narrative materials and support program fundraising, grant proposals, reporting and development;
• Develop and update programmatic and educational materials for clients and outreach events, as requested;
• Maintain strong working relationships with community organizations, funding sources, public officials, the media, and other individuals or groups related to program services;
• Represent the organization at meetings with funders, elected officials and government agencies and other stakeholders;
• Help manage pro bono partnerships with other legal firms;
• Develop ties to local law schools to improve internship and junior staff recruitment;
• Maintain an active caseload, collaborating with other staff on particularly challenging or impactful cases;
• Conduct legal research and keep current on law and procedures within the practice area;
• Attend client meetings and participate in community outreach efforts which may occur during evening and weekends as necessary;
• Attend meetings and perform administrative tasks related to the work, such as timekeeping and case management;
• Perform intake and provide advice, consultation, advocacy, and brief services to potential clients at clinic events; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Admission to the bar of the State of New York or present eligibility for admission;
• A minimum 5 years post-law school experience in transactional practice (including, but not limited to, commercial real estate or commercial leasing, nonprofit, corporate, finance, and contract law) or other relevant experience;
• Experience supervising attorneys and paralegals;
• Experience working with low-to-moderate income individuals, small business owners, and/or nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit practice and commercial lease experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated legal knowledge of the commercial leasing matters for small businesses in NYC.
• Demonstrated legal knowledge of nonprofit practice matters.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds, local organizations, and people in complex multi-party transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with persons of different races, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Excellent contract drafting and other legal writing and advocacy skills in English, bi-lingual Spanish preferred, Korean, Mandarin, and/or Cantonese, a plus;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with strong motivation to manage a high caseload, meet deadlines and expeditiously track matters towards resolution;
• Computer proficiency sufficient to independently review and draft materials relevant to the position, including legal documents, as well as track client information in our database, prepare reports for grantors, attend meetings, and perform administrative tasks related to the work, such as timekeeping and case dockets;
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret legal writing, technical procedures, rules or regulations, statues and case law; and
• Thorough commitment to Build Up Justice NYC's mission and commitment to public interest work and economic equity.

Compensation & Benefits:

Annual salary $110,000-$127,000 dependent on years of experience. Benefits highlights - 27 days vacation; employer paid health, dental and vision insurance; employer contribution to 401(k); and paid parental leave. This is a hybrid in-office/remote work position.

To apply:

If you are interested in this position, you must submit your resume and a cover letter telling us why your experiences would make you a good fit for this role. This position is hybrid in-office/remote work position.

Build Up Justice NYC is a diverse team that is committed to recruiting, supporting, retaining, and promoting a talented staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences that share the organization's commitment to racial, economic and social justice. At Build Up Justice NYC, diversity encompasses a variety of characteristics, lifestyles, and perspectives, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education, disability, socio-economic status, and family status. We firmly believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment is essential to both the quality of our client services and the personal satisfaction of our staff.

We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply, including women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, people from low-income backgrounds, and with lived experiences in the communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical disability, or length of time spent unemployed.

Benefits highlights - 27 days vacation; employer paid health, dental and vision insurance; employer contribution to 401(k); and paid parental leave

Excellent contract drafting and other legal writing and advocacy skills in English, bi-lingual Spanish preferred; Korean, Mandarin, and/or Cantonese, a plus