Real Estate - General Attorney in East Elmhurst, NY

Public Interest

East Elmhurst, NY

Real Estate - General Attorney in East Elmhurst, NY

Attorney

Min 10 yrs required

No

Salary Range
$160,000 - $165,000

The Legal Aid Society is seeking a Citywide Director of Housing Related Benefits to join our Civil Practice team. This position will be based out of our Brooklyn office and will report to the Attorney-in-Charge of the Housing Practice. The Director of the Housing Related Benefits will work collaboratively with various departments and teams to build out the Citywide Housing Related Benefits work for New York City tenants facing eviction defense proceedings. This is a highly impactful role that requires a strong leader with a focus on equity and inclusion in the workplace.

H1: Director of Housing Related Benefits (Citywide) at The Legal Aid Society
H2: Join Our Team and Make a Difference in NYC Housing Court

Key Responsibilities:

- Coordinate intake and representation city-wide
- Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
- Support the development, funding, implementation and reporting of programs
- Respond to client, community, and staff concerns
- Evaluate the project’s needs and identify necessary resources to address the needs
- Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and supervise the implementation of legal strategies
- Prepare and submit necessary grant reporting paperwork, and work with the Grants and Contracts department to identity funding opportunities
- Provide oversight of pro bono initiatives
- Conduct off-site intake, including during evening hours as needed
- Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and the courts
- Conduct community education, training, and outreach, and promote the work of the office, the Housing Unit, the Civil Practice, and The Legal Aid Society in the community
- Assist with planning and conducting citywide and statewide coalition meetings and task forces
- Hire, supervise, train, and mentor Supervising Attorneys, Staff Attorneys, and Paralegal Case handlers in neighborhood offices dedicated to late-stage case intervention through litigation and benefits advocacy
- Foster and encourage teamwork and communication
- Reinforce and maintain staff accountability
- Evaluate conflicting demands and prioritize workload
- Assign work, approve time off and remote work schedule requests following the guidance of LAS policy and procedures
- Manage and coordinate staffing changes, . processing separations, requesting new job postings, hires, coordination of leaves and accommodations
- Attend management meetings, participate in management trainings, and utilize current employment policies, practices and guidance as provided by management and Human Resources
- Conduct management and supervision practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplace
- Supervise direct reports in setting performance standards, provide routine feedback as well as coaching/counseling, and issue disciplinary action as needed
- Participate in continuous professional development
- Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

- Admission to the New York State Bar
- Minimum of ten years of legal practice preferred with a primary focus in NYC Housing Court
- Pro bono, government, public service and academic experience will be considered
- Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Experience litigating in various forums, including State and federal courts
- Knowledge in various practice areas within civil legal services practice
- Excellent litigation skills and experience litigating individual and group cases
- Excellent oral and written advocacy skills
- Demonstrated commitment and experience in public interest law and civil legal services
- Demonstrated commitment to policy advocacy and administrative reform
- Experience working with vulnerable populations including but not limited to seniors
- Experience supervising and mentoring others required
- Demonstrated leadership ability
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
- Commitment to exploring alternative approaches for legal practice
- Ability to work in and value a collaborative team model

Salary and Benefits:

- Salary Range: $160,000 - $165,000
- Generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more.
- Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.
- Ability to work remotely with occasional travel within NYC.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The Legal Aid Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, and prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, marital status, relationship and family structure, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

At The Legal Aid Society, we are committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building strong professional relationships with our clients and understanding their diverse circumstances. We value continuous learning and actively work to dismantle bias in all forms.