Our Organization & Housing Unit:
Brooklyn Legal Services, part of Legal Services NYC, provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn’s diverse low-income population. Legal Services NYC (‘LSNYC’) fights poverty and seeks justice for low income New Yorkers. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of almost 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps more than 110,000 New Yorkers annually. BLS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients — preserving affordable and decent housing, maintaining income support, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability and mitigating the effects of domestic violence, and advocating for the disabled.
LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. As a social justice organization, we are committed to fighting for a workplace that is as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible for everyone. Our DEI committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff at all levels, and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand, and work to realize our DEI goals.
LSNYC provides numerous opportunities for growth and professional development. Our Learning Center provides opportunities to earn free CLE credits and gain experience as a trainer.
The Housing Law Unit preserves affordable housing for Brooklyn’s low-income communities through representation of low-income tenants in eviction proceedings, collaboration with community-based organizations, and affirmative litigation to challenge abusive and discriminatory behaviors that displace low-income families and eliminate affordable housing. Our Unit has partnered closely with the Human Resources Administration (“HRA”) to launch and build a unit to support this ever-expanding Right to Counsel. The core of the Housing Unit team’s work is to provide zealous legal representation to Brooklyn tenants facing eviction in Housing Court and in administrative proceedings through aggressive litigation and creative advocacy. In addition, we preserve housing subsidies and public benefits for our clients through both individual representation and cutting-edge litigation. We also provide advice and community education to tenants throughout Brooklyn at legal clinics and through Know Your Rights trainings.
The Opportunity:
The Staff Attorneys will conduct intakes and represent tenants in Housing Court eviction proceedings, administrative proceedings, Supreme Court actions against administrative agencies, impact litigation in Federal and other courts, and other litigation. Other duties include community education and outreach. Currently, Housing Unit office is located in downtown Brooklyn.
Experience & Qualifications:
We seek an attorney admitted to the New York State bar with:
- A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity;
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills;
- Strong interest in working with clients in crisis;
- Strong organization skills and ability to handle diverse, fast paced, and high volume case load;
- Relevant litigation experience (strongly preferred);
- Fluency or strong proficiency in a second language (preferred); and
- Background in organizing or strong ties to Brooklyn low-income communities (preferred).
Health Recommendation
All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date Covid-19 vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.
How to Apply:
Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to
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. Please write “Housing Attorney” in the subject line of the email. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls.
BLS offers a generous benefits package. Salary is commensurate with experience. LSNYC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are strongly encouraged to apply.
SALARY RANGE: $73,593-$133,304