Program Description:
Bronx Legal Services is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), the largest provider of free civil legal services in the country. The Bronx Office is comprised of 160+ staff including attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and support staff. It is a diverse and unionized office that provides high-quality free legal services in the areas of foreclosure prevention, community economic development, eviction defense, tenant’s rights advocacy, family law and the protection of domestic violence survivors, public benefits, employment, immigration, consumer rights, education, and disability and serves LGBTQ+ residents of the Bronx. We seek equal access to the legal system for low-income Bronx residents through a range of legal services, education, and community partnerships.
Bronx Legal Services prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) 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 DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff 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 DEIB goals.
The Position:
The attorney selected for this position will be expected to handle a diverse and highvolume caseload that involves litigating a mix of individual foreclosure actions, partition cases, predatory lending, and deed theft cases. The attorney may also represent homeowners in foreclosure-related ancillary proceedings in the Surrogate’s Court for letters of administration or in Bankruptcy Court on Chapter 7 and 13 petitions to avert foreclosure. We operate and staff a weekly off-site clinic to screen distressed homeowners for assistance, which the selected attorney will staff on a rotational basis with other attorneys in the unit to conduct intakes. Conducting outreach and community education are integral aspects of our work and will require occasional evening and weekend work.
The attorney will also be expected to work on community economic development assignments involving the representation of low-income cooperative buildings on transactional matters that lead to the preservation of existing affordable housing stock, assisting small businesses in commercial lease disputes, assisting not-for-profit organizations with corporate formation, and litigating matters aimed at challenging discriminatory and unfair housing practices.
Participation in coalition meetings and lobbying efforts on topics related to the work is required. Timely inputting of case notes and maintaining records in our case management system is also required.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess the following experience and qualifications:
- Admission to the New York State Bar;
- A minimum of three years of litigation experience in areas such as foreclosure prevention, consumer rights, fair housing, civil rights and/ or economic justice or a related practice area, multiparty complex litigation experience a plus;
- Experience drafting dispositive motions, written discovery, and taking and defending depositions;
- Experience with court appearances and oral advocacy;
- A demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice issues;
- Excellent analytical, research and writing, and organizational skills;
- High level of interest in meeting and collaborating with community groups;
- Background in conducting community education and outreach events;
- Experience working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equality;
- Commitment to furthering the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging mission of the organization;
- Experience in conducting due diligence on lending transactions in the affordable housing context is preferred but not required,
- Experience with assisting not-for-profit organizations and small businesses is preferred but not required;
- Knowledge of Bankruptcy and Surrogate’s Court practice and procedure preferred but not required;
- Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken by Bronx residents is preferred but not required.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, two recent writing samples, and three references by email to Sylvia Figueroa at
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with “Staff Attorney— Neighborhood Stabilization Project” in the subject line. No Telephone Calls Please—Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Bronx Legal Services is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, and transgender people, and people over 40 are all welcome and are encouraged to apply.
Salary and benefits are determined by the LSNYC Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Our offices currently work on a hybrid model of in-person and remote work. Staff are expected to be in person any five days in a ten-day bi-weekly pay period. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, all employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations unless they are unable to due to a medical or religious reasons.
Salary Range (Based on years’ experience):
- 1-10 years: $74,881 - $98,355
- 11-20 years: $100,605 - $118,773
- 21+ years: $124,254 - $135,637