Our Organization:
Manhattan Legal Services is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), the largest provider of free civil legal services for low-income people in the country. The Manhattan office is dedicated to providing high-quality legal services in the areas of housing, family law, public benefits, employment, immigration, consumer, education, and disability rights, and LGBTQ/HIV advocacy. We work in partnership with community-based organizations in the communities we serve to address the causes of homelessness, hunger and family disintegration. This is an exciting opportunity for skilled and motivated leaders and attorneys.
Responsibilties:
We seek candidates who are excited to work in a fast-paced environment and use creative strategies in the pursuit of justice. The supervisors will work with the Housing Unit Director and co-supervisors to shape the direction of the Housing Unit, develop and strengthen relationships with partner community-based organizations, handle administrative and grant responsibilities and identify systemic housing-related trends for strategic litigation. The responsibilities will also include handling and supervising the representation of tenants in housing court, administrative proceedings, affirmative litigation and appeals; helping to develop and file affirmative litigation; and co-counseling complex cases.
Experience & Qualifications:
Candidates must be admitted to the New York State Bar with:
- A demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with lowincome communities, including communities of color and LGBTQ+ communities, to advance equity;
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience providing civil legal services to low-income people or comparable relevant experience for a Supervising Attorney position, and 5 years’ experience for a Deputy Director position;
- At least 2 years’ experience in housing, landlord/tenant, or related advocacy for a Supervising Attorney, and 3 years’ experience for a Deputy Director;
- At least 2 years of supervision experience for a Deputy Director;
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills;
- Strong organizational skills and ability to supervise a diverse, fast-paced, and highvolume caseload;
- Excellent leadership skills;
- An ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds;
- Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging issues;
- Strong cultural or personal ties to the communities we serve preferred; and,
- Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, a Chinese dialect or other languages prevalent in the communities we serve is helpful, but not required.
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