Senior Staff Attorney Req 4396

Organization Overview:

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 Bronx community. In all aspects of our work, BronxWorks strives for the highest ethical and performance standards. We are guided by the belief that people must be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their present situation or past experiences. We have over 65 locations throughout the Bronx providing a variety of programs that assist in the areas of family, children and youth support, educational services, senior services, homelessness, financial empowerment, and workforce development, among others. With over 50 years of experience supporting Bronx communities, we are an employer of choice for anyone interested in a meaningful career in the social services field 

BronxWorks Legal Services – Tenant Defense Program:

The BronxWorks model aims to break the cycle of poverty by mobilizing the organization’s extensive resources to apply a holistic and progressive approach, helping individuals and families transition from crisis to self-sufficiency. A crucial component of this continuum of support is BronxWorks Legal Services, which provides free legal assistance to those seeking immigration stability, facing eviction, and surviving domestic violence and other crimes. Within BronxWorks Legal Services, the Tenant Defense Program plays a vital role in securing housing stability by representing low-income tenants in eviction proceedings and advocating for essential public benefits to preserve affordable housing. 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.

Senior Staff Attorney Opportunity

The Tenant Defense Senior Staff Attorney role is designed to provide professional development opportunities for attorneys with at least three years of experience, who are still building toward supervisory roles and includes a salary increase above the staff attorney scale. In addition to handling casework and meeting other staff attorney responsibilities, the Senior Attorney will work closely with a supervising attorney to mentor junior staff and law graduates. This includes accompanying law graduates to court, signing stipulations, pleadings, and motions on their behalf, and offering guidance on case strategy, legal research, and court filings. Moreover, the Senior Attorney will support the professional growth of less experienced staff through mentorship and training and provide constructive feedback. They will also assist in leading legal team meetings, CLE trainings, and strategic planning sessions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal representation to tenants referred to BronxWorks through the Universal Access to Counsel initiative and other referral sources. 
• Litigate in various forums including housing court, appellate courts, and administrative tribunals, including NYCHA tenancy termination proceedings and housing benefits hearings.
• Provide full legal representation, including: counsel clients on all available legal defenses and strategies, regularly communicate with clients to ensure they are informed on all pertinent information about their case, negotiate with outside counsel, engage in motion practice, present oral arguments at hearings and court conferences, conduct discovery and depositions, prepare for and conduct evidentiary hearings and trials, and advocate with government agencies and external providers on clients’ behalf.
• Develop and apply expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits to secure the best possible client outcomes.
• Participate in court-based intake processes and conduct intakes.
• Engage in client and community outreach and education initiatives.
• Mentor junior staff and law graduates, accompanying them to court and providing guidance on legal strategies.
• Assist in leading legal team meetings, CLE trainings, and strategic planning sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A J.D. from an accredited law school, and an attorney admitted to practice in New York State with at least three (3) years of experience practicing law in New York City Housing Courts.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and conduct community outreach in low-income neighborhoods.
• Excellent legal research, oral and written advocacy, and analytical skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills including the ability to manage a diverse and fast-paced caseload generated by a universal access to counsel intake system where clients are legally entitled to representation.

Preferred Qualifications & Plus Factors

• Supervisory or Leadership Experience: Prior experience mentoring or supervising junior attorneys, law graduates, or legal interns, particularly in housing or tenant defense work.
• Advanced Litigation Experience: Extensive experience litigating complex housing matters, including trials, appeals, and handling high-volume caseloads in housing court.
• Experience with Housing Subsidy Programs: In-depth knowledge of New York City housing programs, such as Section 8, NYCHA, and other rental assistance or housing subsidy programs.
• Proficiency in Multiple Languages: Fluency or proficiency in additional languages commonly spoken in the Bronx, such as Spanish, French, Arabic, or Mandarin.
• Community Engagement: A track record of working with community organizations, conducting know-your-rights workshops, or engaging in tenant organizing or advocacy.
• Experience in Public Benefits Advocacy: Familiarity with public benefits programs (e.g., SNAP, SSI, cash assistance) and advocating for clients to secure these benefits in addition to housing stability.
• Training and Development Skills: Experience leading Continuing Legal Education (CLE) trainings, workshops, or providing structured legal training to colleagues or law students.
• Knowledge of Anti-Displacement Strategies: Experience in fighting against tenant harassment and displacement, particularly in gentrifying neighborhoods, through both litigation and policy advocacy.
• Tech Savviness: Experience using legal tech tools like LegalServer, Clio, eCourts, or
• document automation platforms to streamline legal practice and improve efficiency

Physical Requirements

• Ability to use a computer for prolonged periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to climb five flights of stairs, if required to conduct home visits and/or fieldwork.
• Ability to travel in the boroughs of New York City and its adjacent counties via public transportation. 
• Ability to travel for a minimum of 1 mile within a reasonable amount of time and in all types of weather, including inclement weather, if required to conduct home visits and/or field work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.