Staff Attorney

Background

Founded in 2013, The Waterfront Project, Inc. (WFP), is a nonprofit legal services provider and HUD-certified counseling agency providing eviction defense and foreclosure prevention assistance. WFP Staff Attorneys provide free civil legal representation, advice, and advocacy to Hudson County’s most vulnerable residents—the working poor, seniors, individuals living with disabilities, and others experiencing housing instability.

Currently, WFP’s primary focus is pursuing creative legal strategies to allow low-income Hudson County residents to stay in their homes and communities, especially in neighborhoods experiencing rapid development and gentrification.WFP attorneys defend tenants in eviction cases and advise on matters related to rent control and regulation, Section 8 voucher terminations, and public housing.

Position

The Staff Attorney provides civil legal services, with a focus on rent control and landlord tenant matters. The Staff Attorney also provides know your rights workshops for community partners and clients.

Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney will be engaged in direct representation and may be asked to provide support to our network of pro bono attorneys who represent clients. The Attorney will also be expected to:

• Provide advice, counsel, and direct representation to clients in civil proceedings primarily in Hudson County Superior Court, Special Civil Part: Landlord/Tenant Division;
• Conduct legal intake and evaluate clients’ legal needs;
• Conduct legal research using LexisNexis;
• Engage in motion practice, including emergent post-judgment applications for relief;
• Gather evidence and prepare exhibits;
• Provide training and technical assistance to community partners on tenants' rights; and
• Coordinate and collaborate with other tenant groups and community-based organizations.

Qualifications

• License and ability to practice law in New Jersey required;
• 3-5 years litigation experience, preferably in legal services preferred, but not required;
• Knowledge of landlord/tenant law and procedures, NJ Court Rules and Rules of Evidence;
• Confidence in the courthouse and trial experience preferred;
• Familiarity with public benefits preferred, but not required;
• Strong organizational, research, analytical, and oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and/or ability to learn new technologies;
• Ability to work in a nonprofit environment, both independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to track legal developments in applicable areas of law affecting program clients;
• Ability to work with underrepresented communities, including but not limited to people living with physical or mental health disabilities and clients of diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds;
• Bilingual (such as English/Spanish or Arabic/English) skills preferred but not required.

Pay and Benefits

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), with work occurring during normal business hours, though some know-your-rights workshops may occasionally occur during nights and weekends. WFP offers a competitive nonprofit salary ($82,500-$85,000) and a public interest benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, a retirement plan with a 2% employer contribution, 29 PTO days, 13 office holidays, and professional development opportunities. This is a hybrid position, based out of Jersey City, with the flexibility to work from home on days without court appearances. Employment contingent on continued program funding.

How to Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to ehurley@thewaterfrontproject.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Given WFP has an immediate

opening, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application at

their earliest convenience. No calls, please. Only those selected for an interview

will be contacted.

WFP is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, veterans, people with disabilities, and people with lived experience of housing insecurity are encouraged to apply. WFP does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, creed, nationality, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, civil union status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical cellular or blood trait, military status or any other category protected by federal, state or other law applicable in the location of employment.

Do you feel like you do not meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At The Waterfront Project, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

WFP offers a generous benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, a retirement plan with a 2% employer contribution, 29 PTO days, 13 office holidays, and professional development opportunities. This is a hybrid position, based out of Jersey City, with the flexibility to work from home on days without court appearances.

English language fluence required.

Spanish language fluency preferred but not required.