Supervising Attorney Req - 4831

BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger community. In all aspects of our work, we strive for the highest ethical and performance standards and are guided by the belief that people are to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their present situation or past experiences. Across our 60+ locations, we provide programs in a variety of service areas, including workforce development, children, youth, families, seniors and homeless prevention. 

The BronxWorks Legal Services Department provides free legal assistance to those seeking immigration stability, facing eviction, and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. Within the department, the Tenant Defense Program plays a vital role in securing housing stability for low-income tenants. The program supports New York City’s groundbreaking Universal Access to Counsel initiative, which ensures low-income tenants the right to full legal representation in eviction proceedings.

Reporting to the program director, the supervising attorneys help to develop and lead the program and ensure excellent legal representation to clients by providing training, supervision, and mentorship to a team of staff attorneys and a paralegal as well as carrying a reduced independent caseload. The ideal candidate is passionate about social justice, knowledgeable about NYC housing law, practice, and benefits, and capable of developing and carrying out creative legal strategies in the pursuit of optimal client outcomes.

Responsibilities:

•    Supervise a team of staff attorneys, a paralegal, and volunteers/interns, ensuring high standards of representation and client service while meeting program and grant objectives.

•    Conduct regular one-on-one supervision meetings.

•    Lead regular case review meetings. Oversee analysis of legal issues, case strategy, and case administration. Set and enforce litigation schedules and deadlines.

•    Review and edit pleadings and other written work product.

•    Supervise appearances in court and administrative proceedings. Second seat entry level attorneys.

•    Coordinate and supervise intake and case assignments.

•    Address client, community, and staff concerns.

•    Supervise team paralegal, ensuring high-quality support to staff attorneys and clients, including effective benefits application assistance, administrative and advocacy support.

•    Mentor staff and provide resources, training, and professional development.

•    As needed, provide program-wide supervision on rotation with other supervising attorneys.

•    Develop and maintain expert knowledge of applicable law, practice, and benefits.

•    Maintain a reduced caseload, representing tenants in eviction proceedings in housing court and administrative settings, including hearings, trials, and appeals.

•    Build relationships with programs, community organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, provider networks, and the courts.

•    Collaborate with internal and external resources to address client needs.

•    As directed, attend meetings to promote organizational, program, and client interests.

•    Collaborate with the program director and other supervising attorneys to provide strategic leadership and direction and to develop and strengthen program policies and procedures.

•    Ensure compliance with data entry and reporting requirements.

•    Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

•    Admitted to the New York State Bar in good standing or eligible for admission through reciprocity.

•    At least 3 years of experience representing tenants in eviction proceedings, ideally in New York City Housing Court.

•    Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and housing rights.

Skills and Competencies:

•    Comprehensive knowledge of NYC housing law and related benefits.

•    Excellent legal research, analytical, written and oral advocacy, communication, and litigation skills.

•    Sound strategic judgment and the drive to initiate and implement practice improvements.

•    Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to both work independently and lead an effective team in a fast-paced environment.

•    Proficiency in computer skills for database tracking, report preparation, communication, and administrative tasks.

•    Ability to work well independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

•    Prior supervisory experience in a legal setting.

•    Proficiency in Spanish or another relevant language in addition to English is preferred.

BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and employee development, placement, promotion, demotion, upgrading, downgrading, transfer, layoff, and termination. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact hrbenefits@bronxworks.org. 

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