Supervising Attorney, Brooklyn Tenant Defense

MAJOR PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice is seeking an experienced and talented lawyer with a deep commitment to public interest practice and policy to join a dedicated team of managers as a Supervising Attorney of the Brooklyn Neighborhood Office’s Housing Justice Unit – Tenant Defense.

 

The Civil Practice’s Housing Justice Program engages in both eviction defense and affirmative litigation and handles a broad range of individual tenant representation at the trial and appellate levels, including holdovers, nonpayment proceedings, HPs, Housing Authority administrative hearings, and state and federal court appeals. The Tenant Defense practice primarily handles cases through the Universal Access (often referred to as the Right to Counsel) program in Housing Court.

 

The Supervising Attorney, in conjunction with the Director of Housing and the supervisory team, will be responsible for the smooth and effective day-to-day operations of the Housing Justice Unit – Tenant Defense in the assigned office. The Supervising Attorney will also coordinate, mentor, and supervise staff, provide leadership, and facilitate intake. The Supervising Attorney participates in Practice-wide management discussions and decision-making and is responsible for maintaining relationships with stakeholders in the legal, court, and service communities.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Housing Supervision Duties

• Supervise, mentor, and train staff attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers/interns
• Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
• Collaborate and work closely with the Attorney-in-Charge of the Brooklyn office, Director of Housing, Housing Coordinators, and the housing, benefits and grants management teams on all aspects of the citywide housing practice
• Identify needs and resources for the Brooklyn Neighborhood Office and participate in management team responsibilities to meet those needs
• Coordinate intake
• Represent clients in local, state, and federal administrative and court proceedings
• Respond to client, community, and staff concerns
• Reinforce and maintain staff accountability
• Analyze legal issues, and develop and supervise the implementation of legal strategies
• Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and the courts
• Represent the Civil Practice and Legal Aid in the community
• Conduct community education, training, and outreach and promote the work of the office, the Housing Practice, and the Civil Practice
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Conduct off-site intake as needed

Team Development and Management Duties

• Assign work, approve time off and remote work schedule requests following the guidance of LAS policy and procedures
• 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
• Identify and provide training and development opportunities and ensure mandatory trainings are completed
• Resolve employee conflict, complaints, and address union concerns, with guidance from Borough Housing Director, Attorney-in-Charge of the Brooklyn Neighborhood Office, other senior Civil Practice leaders, and Human Resources

 

Professional Development and Other Duties as Assigned

• 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

Required qualifications:

• Admission to the New York State Bar and a willingness to apply for admission to the federal courts (S.D.N.Y., E.D.N.Y., Second Circuit) as it may become necessary
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law and civil legal services
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including but not limited to seniors

 

Preferred qualifications: