Staff Attorneys, Housing Law Practice (immediate hire)

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. Further, LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and aims to create a work environment where everyone can bring their full selves to the work.

Do you dream of using your legal skills to help real people and improve the lives of everyday New Yorkers? Do you want to write your own briefs, handle your own oral arguments, and first seat a trial? Are you interested in developing a substantively complex litigation practice with the support of a large citywide team? Do you crave work/life balance? Come join us and spend your days keeping New York City families in their homes and out of shelters while bringing unscrupulous landlords to justice!

Legal Services NYC is seeking lateral hires with at least 2+ years of legal experience to join our dynamic, high impact housing practice. We’re engaged in cutting edge litigation in every single day, helping prevent evictions for tens of thousands of New Yorkers every year. We change lives and we change the law, all while providing competitive salaries and best-in-class benefits.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Legal Services NYC seeks staff attorneys with 3+ years of legal experience to join our robust Right to Counsel program representing low-income tenants throughout New York City in eviction defense and other proceedings. Our Right to Counsel program is a civil defender practice helping implement New York City's groundbreaking Right to Counsel law, which seeks to ensure that income-eligible tenants being sued by their landlords in Housing Court have attorneys to represent them.

Our housing attorneys develop deep expertise in the complex and fast-evolving field of New York City housing law, frequently advancing the law with creative and aggressive litigation. This is also a court-heavy practice, meaning that our lawyers obtain trial, oral advocacy, and motion practice experience that can translate to virtually any area of law. We also engage in public policy, giving many of our attorneys the opportunity to testify before public bodies concerning systemic issues affecting our clients.

For many of our housing lawyers, the most important and rewarding part of the job is our clients. As a Legal Services NYC lawyer, you will be directly representing your clients, from intake to trial to appeal, as needed. The practice of law often comes down to telling our clients' stories in the halls of power, and we take that obligation very seriously. The life-changing nature of this work goes in both directions – our work can change our clients’ lives, and getting to know our clients often changes our lives in turn.

We are looking for smart, driven, and passionate lawyers seeking to grow their litigation skills and put their experience to use fighting to keep low-income New Yorkers in their homes and out of shelters. While we expect our attorneys to carry significant caseloads and to litigate their cases zealously and competently, we value our staff’s work-life balance, with the average attorney week requiring significantly fewer hours than corporate firms. We also provide substantial support to newer attorneys as well as laterals, in terms of both onboarding training and ongoing supervision.

SALARY & COMPENSATION:

Salary depends on years of experience, pursuant to our collective bargaining agreement. For example, a fifth year starts at $87,107, a tenth year at $98,335, and a 15^th year at $109,642. Employer contribution to the 403(b)-retirement plan is 7% (no employee matching required).

Benefits include: exceptional healthcare with low copays (for which employees pay only 1% of their salaries per year), generous dental insurance, a vision plan, generous vacation days (21 days the first year; 28 days/year thereafter) that people routinely use, plus 14 paid holidays and 18 sick days/year. We provide generous parental leave (six months) as well as coverage for fertility treatment.

The position is hybrid permitting 50% remote work, job duties permitting.

Full Salary Range (based on years of experience):

• 1-10 years: $74,881 -$98,355 
• 11-20 years: $100,605 - $118,773  
• 21+ years: $ 124,254 - $135,637 

NOTE: LSNYC is committed to paying competitive non-profit salaries. This salary range posted reflects the collective bargaining agreement entered into in 2021. Salaries are expected to increase once the new contract, currently in negotiations, becomes effective. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducting intake and providing full legal representation in housing court proceedings to New York City tenants referred to LSNYC through the right to counsel initiative in NYC housing courts, and through other referral sources.
• Litigating cases in housing court, administrative forums, appellate courts, and other state and federal courts on behalf of people facing eviction, and in affirmative cases challenging agencies and actors who threaten New York City residents' ability to obtain and retain affordable housing.
• Developing expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits.
• Providing legal advice and counseling to tenants as needed.
• Conducting neighborhood-based legal clinics and know-your-rights workshops.
• Identifying trends and recurring issues for potential impact litigation. 
• Providing trainings to other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A J.D. from an accredited law school, 2+ years of legal experience, and admission (or seeking admission) to practice law in the State of New York.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and conduct community outreach in low-income neighborhoods.
• Excellent advocacy, analytic, writing, and leadership skills.
• Strong time management and organization skills including the ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced caseload generated by a “right to counsel” intake where clients may have a legal entitlement to representation.
• Experience in housing, landlord/tenant, or related advocacy, preferred.
• Fluency or proficiency in either Spanish or a language other than English that is frequently used by our clients is preferred. 

Inclusion Statement: Studies have shown that women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are more hesitant than others to apply for jobs where they fear they may not fully meet every single qualification listed. While the list of qualifications represents the qualities that we are looking for in applicants, we are looking for the best candidate for the job. If you are interested in this position and have substantial relevant experience, we encourage you to apply even if you do not fully meet every criteria listed above.

ABOUT US

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care.

LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. Further, LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and aims to create a work environment where everyone can bring their full selves to the work.

ABOUT OUR BOROUGH OFFICES 

Bronx Legal Services’ housing unit is the largest housing unit at LSNYC, and serves the community with the highest need. The Bronx has the highest share of rent regulated and affordable units in NYC, and our office strives to preserve the affordable housing stock, allowing Bronx residents to stay in their homes. The office creates community across its teams, frequently holding picnics, potlucks, and happy hours. The office is conveniently located in the South Bronx, just 2-3 subway stops from Manhattan, near the 2 and 5 subway lines and several bus lines, making it easy to access from all over the City and surrounding areas. 

Staten Island Legal Services’ housing unit delivers an outsized impact for the historically underserved communities of low-income tenants in Staten Island. As a small, tight-knit team, the Staten Island housing unit is able to tailor its work to the emerging needs of Staten Island communities, as well as the evolving needs of its staff. The housing stock in Staten Island consists of public housing, regulated housing, and single-family homes, leading to a multifaceted housing practice. The office is located conveniently near St. George’s transportation hub and the Staten Island ferry. 

Queens Legal Services’ housing unit consists of a friendly, cooperative, team serving one of the most diverse communities in the world. This diversity is reflected in the exceptional food and culture available throughout the borough, where more than 50% of the population is bilingual. The housing stock in Queens is also diverse, including multi-family dwellings as well as single-family homes allowing Queens advocates to engage with a wide-variety of housing litigation. The office is located conveniently across the street from Queens Housing Court, near the E, J, Z, and F trains, as well as the Long Island Railroad. 

Manhattan Legal Services’ housing unit represents tenants in the geographically smallest, but most densely populated borough of New York City. Manhattan’s housing team is close and collaborative, representing long-term tenants in iconic New York City neighborhoods like Harlem and Chinatown. The main Manhattan office is in Harlem, near the historic Apollo Theatre, Adam Clayton Powell Plaza, and the A, C, 2,3, and 4,5,6 subways, as well as many bus lines. Manhattan will also be expanding its downtown office near Housing Court and the 1, 2, 3, and A, C, E subway lines in January 2025. 

Brooklyn Legal Services’ housing unit represents tenants in the most populous borough of New York City. Over the past few decades, Brooklyn has experienced rapid gentrification, and our housing advocates have been at the forefront of protecting Brooklyn communities. Housing Court in Brooklyn continues to be one of the most contentious and litigation heavy courthouses in the City. The downtown Brooklyn office, situated in a bustling commercial area with access to every subway line and several bus routes, fosters a strong sense of community that enhances our commitment to defending and advancing tenants' rights and preserving Brooklyn neighborhoods. 

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.