The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Housing Litigation Unit consists of the Landlord and Tenant (L&T) Division and the Administrative Hearings Division (AHED). L&T commences or is a Party in a large volume of Civil Court-Housing Part cases. The attorneys represent the Authority in non-payment, holdover, Section 8, repair cases and commercial cases in Housing court. AHED conducts administrative termination of tenancy proceedings before an Impartial Hearing Officer brought on such grounds as non-desirability, including violence against NYCHA employees, breach of NYCHA rules and regulations, illegal assignment or transfer of possession of an apartment, and misrepresentation. AHED also represents NYCHA in remaining family member and rent grievances brought by public housing residents and Section 8 participants. The Attorney for Housing Litigation shall, under the supervision of Deputy General Counsel and Senior Counsel, review cases including priority cases necessary to regain possession of NYCHA public housing apartments. This is done to ensure that these cases are handled expeditiously and that apartments can be recovered in accordance with all legal requirements.
Responsibilities of the Agency Attorney will include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Quickly identify key issues in a case and gain a rapid resolution with a minimum of supervision.
2. Prepare and potentially litigate administrative hearings for Remaining Family Member (RFM) Grievances including preparing charges, requesting investigations and negotiating settlements.
3. Answer routine inquiries from managers, opposing counsel and Borough management on assigned cases.
4. Conduct legal research on complex cases and prepare memoranda.
5. Maintain computer records in the Case Management System and prepare memos and other documents regarding case dispositions.
6. Prepare and handle illegal lockout hearings.
7. Prepare briefs, motions, legal opinions, affidavits, memoranda and other legal papers.
8. Assist with implementation of, and comply with, new procedures to initiate housing court cases consistent with applicable court stipulations.
9. Perform such other related duties as from time-to-time may be assigned.
Note: The selected candidate will be required to maintain confidentiality regarding all NYCHA proceedings.
Additional Information
1. Resume and cover letter must also include bar admission date(s) (month and year). Candidates must also provide two writing samples representing the candidate’s efforts, not those of a reviewer; three references, listing their professional association and the circumstances under which they became familiar with the candidate’s professional skills; a copy of law school transcript; current and/or minimum salary requirements.
2. NYCHA employees applying for transfer, promotional, title or level change opportunities must have served a period of one year at current location and in current title and level (if applicable).
3. NYCHA residents are encouraged to apply.
Please read this posting carefully to make certain you meet the minimum qualification requirements before applying to this position.
1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.