The Legal Aid Society
Staff Attorney, Law Reform Unit - New York, NY
The Legal Aid Society, New York, New York, us, 10261
Overview
The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice Law Reform Unit is seeking an experienced, creative, and energetic lawyer for an available Staff Attorney position in the Homeless Rights Project (HRP). This position, in collaboration with a small team, is responsible for protecting and expanding the rights of homeless New Yorkers along with advocacy partner and institutional client Coalition for the Homeless. More specifically, the HRP Staff Attorney will be focusing on systemic reforms through a range of affirmative work relating to homelessness, including but not limited to representation of individual clients, organizations, groups and classes; legislative and press advocacy; community education and coalition building; and consulting and technical assistance for Legal Aid staff, other community, and legal service providers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Participate as part of a team or individually in affirmative litigation in State and Federal Court proceedings
Work with pro bono lawyers on multiple long-term affirmative litigation matters in varying stages of litigation, including years-long monitoring and enforcement
Conduct policy advocacy on behalf of clients before the New York City Council and State Legislature, including the regular drafting and submission of testimony before various bodies of government and meetings with elected representatives and staff
Coordinate and collaborate with practices and units at Legal Aid, other legal assistance organizations, community groups, and organizations, and people with lived experience on a dynamic and wide range of advocacy strategies to promote the interests and rights of homeless New Yorkers
Advocate with local, State, and federal agencies
Represent individual clients in administrative hearings, State and federal court proceedings
Collaborate regularly with Communications on press releases and media strategy to promote overall advocacy
Train Legal Aid staff, and staff in other organizations about homeless rights; engage in community outreach and education to individuals, local community-based organizations, and advocates; develop and produce training materials and maintain updated Know Your Rights
Occasional off-site outreach and client intake, including during weekend and evening hours
Assist with staffing the Homeless Rights hotline
Report to LAS Development and Grant and Contracts as needed
Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS Required qualifications:
Admission to the New York State Bar
Excellent written and oral advocacy skills are required, including public speaking ability
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team and manage a high volume of cases, projects, meetings, and regularly shifting obligations
Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations, as well as foster constructive working relationships with colleagues and fellow advocates, particularly in the context of complex bureaucracies and in the face of conflict
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to work with pro-bono lawyers
Internal candidate must have fulfilled any Legal Aid Society commitments associated with their current position
Preferred qualifications:
Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable but not required.
SALARY AND BENEFITS The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.
Salary Range: $84,000- $152,500
The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.
Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness
The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.
studentaid.gov
hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs
WORK AUTHORIZATION All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)
HOW TO APPLY All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:
Cover Letter
Resume
For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), 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, or any other characteristic protected by law.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION The Legal Aid Society is 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 a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.
Location Manhattan - Civil Practice Lower Manhattan Neighborhood Office
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice Law Reform Unit is seeking an experienced, creative, and energetic lawyer for an available Staff Attorney position in the Homeless Rights Project (HRP). This position, in collaboration with a small team, is responsible for protecting and expanding the rights of homeless New Yorkers along with advocacy partner and institutional client Coalition for the Homeless. More specifically, the HRP Staff Attorney will be focusing on systemic reforms through a range of affirmative work relating to homelessness, including but not limited to representation of individual clients, organizations, groups and classes; legislative and press advocacy; community education and coalition building; and consulting and technical assistance for Legal Aid staff, other community, and legal service providers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Participate as part of a team or individually in affirmative litigation in State and Federal Court proceedings
Work with pro bono lawyers on multiple long-term affirmative litigation matters in varying stages of litigation, including years-long monitoring and enforcement
Conduct policy advocacy on behalf of clients before the New York City Council and State Legislature, including the regular drafting and submission of testimony before various bodies of government and meetings with elected representatives and staff
Coordinate and collaborate with practices and units at Legal Aid, other legal assistance organizations, community groups, and organizations, and people with lived experience on a dynamic and wide range of advocacy strategies to promote the interests and rights of homeless New Yorkers
Advocate with local, State, and federal agencies
Represent individual clients in administrative hearings, State and federal court proceedings
Collaborate regularly with Communications on press releases and media strategy to promote overall advocacy
Train Legal Aid staff, and staff in other organizations about homeless rights; engage in community outreach and education to individuals, local community-based organizations, and advocates; develop and produce training materials and maintain updated Know Your Rights
Occasional off-site outreach and client intake, including during weekend and evening hours
Assist with staffing the Homeless Rights hotline
Report to LAS Development and Grant and Contracts as needed
Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS Required qualifications:
Admission to the New York State Bar
Excellent written and oral advocacy skills are required, including public speaking ability
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team and manage a high volume of cases, projects, meetings, and regularly shifting obligations
Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations, as well as foster constructive working relationships with colleagues and fellow advocates, particularly in the context of complex bureaucracies and in the face of conflict
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to work with pro-bono lawyers
Internal candidate must have fulfilled any Legal Aid Society commitments associated with their current position
Preferred qualifications:
Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable but not required.
SALARY AND BENEFITS The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.
Salary Range: $84,000- $152,500
The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.
Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness
The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.
studentaid.gov
hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs
WORK AUTHORIZATION All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)
HOW TO APPLY All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:
Cover Letter
Resume
For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), 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, or any other characteristic protected by law.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION The Legal Aid Society is 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 a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.
Location Manhattan - Civil Practice Lower Manhattan Neighborhood Office
#J-18808-Ljbffr