Paralegal Advocate, Tenant Rights Coalition

1-20 yrs required

Full-time

No

Paralegal Advocate, Tenant Rights Coalition at Brooklyn Legal Services (Job#90_2023)

Organization Overview:

- Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS) is a civil legal services organization dedicated to fighting poverty and seeking racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers.
- Part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), BLS provides a wide range of civil legal services including individual case representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, outreach, education, and trainings.
- BLS has a union that includes attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and support staff.
- LSNYC is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and has a DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all staff.

About the Tenant Rights Coalition (TRC):

- TRC is a team of legal workers working in partnership with tenant leaders and community organizers throughout Brooklyn to combat the impacts of gentrification.
- Based in Brownsville, TRC's work includes supporting tenant association meetings, defending against and/or asserting claims in various courts and agencies, conducting workshops and trainings, and supporting local and statewide coalition work.

Position Overview:

- The Paralegal Advocate will work closely with the TRC team and community partners to support Brooklyn tenants through community education and outreach, advocacy, and case handling.
- This is a full-time position with occasional evening and weekend hours.

Role & Responsibilities:

- Conduct client interviews to assess eligibility for services, benefits, and/or other housing-related needs.
- Draft and prepare applications and complaints to multiple administrative agencies to obtain assistance and/or vindicate rights.
- Conduct legal research and draft supporting documents for legal cases.
- Attend and/or conduct tenant meetings, clinics, and workshops throughout Brooklyn.
- Manage a diverse caseload of individual and group cases.
- Attend team meetings and substantive trainings.
- Manage cases and ensure compliance with grant reporting requirements.

Experience & Qualifications:

- Demonstrated passion for social justice and a commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color.
- Excellent interviewing, writing, and communication skills.
- Experience working with low-income individuals.
- Familiarity with Housing Court processes and public benefits advocacy is preferred.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks.
- Fluency or proficiency in a second language is strongly preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and internet research.
- Good sense of humor and ability to work well on a team.

How to Apply:

- Send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to with "TRC Paralegal Advocate" in the subject line.
- Writing samples can be advocacy letters, emails, or any form of writing that demonstrates clear instructions or detailed information.
- Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Salary & Benefits:

- BLS offers an excellent benefits package and a highly competitive public interest salary.
- Benefits include health, dental, and vision plans, contributions to a 403(b) plan, and generous leave time.
- Salary is commensurate with experience.
- BLS is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages people of color, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those over 40 to apply.
- The organization is committed to race, gender, and economic justice in their work and workplace.
- Employees who are not managers are members of the LSSA/NOLSW UAW Local 2320.

Inclusion Statement:

- Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs if they do not meet every single qualification listed.
- While the listed qualifications represent the ideal candidate, BLS is looking for the best person for the job.
- If you are interested in this position and have substantial relevant experience, BLS encourages you to apply even if you do not fully meet every qualification.

COVID Vaccination Policy:

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

Additional Information:

- More information about BLS can be found on their website, .

Salary Range (Dependent on years of experience):

- 1-10 years: $55,460 - $68,514
- 11-20 years: $69,614 - $79,019
- 21+ years: $82,013 - $89,477

Not specified

Health, dental, and vision plans, contributions to a 403(b) plan, generous leave time

Fluency in a second language preferred

Client interviews, assessment, eligibility determination, benefit advocacy, case handling, applications, complaints, legal research, drafting, affidavits, charts, tenant meetings, workshops, team meetings, trainings, grant reporting, social justice advocacy, communication, organizational, time management, fluency in second language, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, internet research, adaptability, humor, teamwork

Bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate or equivalent experience

Send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to with "TRC Paralegal Advocate" in the subject line

Qualification and Experience Bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate or equivalent experience, experience working with low-income communities and communities of color, familiarity with Housing Court processes and cases, public benefits advocacy experience, strong proficiency in a second language

Legal