Social Security Law Attorney in Brooklyn, NY

Public Interest

Brooklyn, NY

Social Security Law Attorney in Brooklyn, NY

Attorney

1-3 yrs required

No

Job Title: Supervising Attorney, Housing Related Government Benefits

Job Responsibilities:
The Supervising Attorney will join the Housing Justice Unit – Tenant Defense within the Civil Practice. This role involves managing a team of managers, staff attorneys, supervisors, paralegal case handlers, and support personnel. The attorney will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Housing Justice Program in the assigned office and report to the Borough Director of Housing and Attorney-in-Charge. Key responsibilities include supervising Housing Attorneys and Paralegal Casehandlers, particularly in the Government Benefits work, which involves representation, legal assistance, advocacy, and education for clients requiring income and related supports from city, state, and federal programs. The attorney will support housing advocates representing low-income tenants in housing-related matters, including benefits cases like rent arrears and grants from city agencies and charities. They will supervise housing case handlers in their work, including representing clients at administrative hearings and advocacy with NYC HRA and NYS OTDA. The role involves coordinating with citywide initiatives related to housing and government benefits, building substantive knowledge and skills concerning housing and public benefits, and collaborating with other supervisors to create training and advocacy programs. Additionally, the Supervising Attorney will mentor and supervise staff, provide leadership, prioritize legal issues, and maintain relationships with stakeholders in the legal, court, and service communities.

Essential duties include:
- Supervising, mentoring, and training staff attorneys and paralegals
- Monitoring and maintaining high standards of representation and client service
- Collaborating closely with the Director of Housing, Housing Coordinators, and management teams
- Participating in structural and strategic planning for benefits work within the housing practice
- Identifying needs and resources for the Brooklyn Neighborhood Office and participating in management responsibilities to meet those needs
- Coordinating intake and representing clients in administrative and court proceedings
- Developing and maintaining community support and relationships with organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and courts
- Analyzing legal issues, developing legal strategies, and supervising implementation under the direction of the Director of Housing
- Conducting community education, training, and outreach

Team development and supervision responsibilities include:
- Scheduling employee hours, assigning work, approving time off and remote work schedule requests
- Attending management meetings, participating in management training, and utilizing current employment policies
- Conducting management and supervision practices that support equity and inclusion
- Providing training and development opportunities and ensuring mandatory trainings are completed

Professional development and other duties include:
- Participating in continuous professional development
- Learning about bias in the workplace and demonstrating behaviors that support an inclusive environment

Education and Experience Information:
Required qualifications include:
- Admission to the NYS Bar and willingness to apply for admission to federal courts as necessary
- Minimum of three years of legal practice
- Minimum of one year of supervisory and management experience preferred or relevant experience in leadership positions in a membership organization
- Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable but not required

Preferred qualifications:
- Experience conducting training is preferred

The position requires excellent research, writing, analytical, organizational, and communication skills, the ability to work independently and manage staff, experience in government benefits, experience litigating in various forums, and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil legal services.

Salary Information:
The salary range is $99,444 - $163,507. The actual salary offered may vary depending on factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles. The organization offers a generous benefits package, including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance. The organization is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, allowing employees to take advantage of PSLF and other loan forgiveness programs. New York residents may also be eligible for state assistance with loan repayments.

Work Authorization:
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. The organization is unable to sponsor employment visas or permits.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The organization prohibits discriminatory employment actions based on characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and other protected characteristics. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a culture of zealous advocacy, respect, client-oriented defense, access to justice, and excellent representation.