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BronxWorks · 6 hours ago

Senior Staff Attorney

New York, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

3+ years exp

BronxWorks is an organization that helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. The Senior Staff Attorney will provide mentorship to junior attorneys, handle casework, and lead legal team meetings while ensuring quality representation for clients.

Non Profit

Hiring Manager

Xienna De Jesus, MSM, aPHR

Responsibilities

Directly supervise junior attorneys, law graduates, paralegals, and/or other assigned staff, including assigning and monitoring work, setting priorities, approving schedules, and ensuring adherence to legal and program standards

Conduct formal performance evaluations of direct reports and provide written and verbal recommendations on promotions, terminations, disciplinary actions, and salary adjustments; such recommendations are given particular weight in final employment decisions

Hold staff accountable for meeting deadlines, data quality standards, and program deliverables, and take corrective action where performance does not meet expectations

Hold staff accountable for attending in-person meetings, including weekly unit meetings and monthly department-wide meetings

Mentor and train staff, including accompanying junior attorneys and law graduates to court, providing guidance on legal strategies, and offering constructive feedback on case preparation and litigation

Approve leave requests and work schedules for supervised staff and reallocate resources as needed to meet program needs

Assist in leading legal team meetings, CLE trainings, and strategic planning sessions

Exercise independent judgment in directing the work of others to ensure that client needs and contract requirements are met

Supervise intake processes and join a weekly court supervision rotation with other supervisors to ensure quality representation and adherence to program standards

Maintain regular office hours and participate in a weekly rotation of in-office and site supervision at the Tenant Defense Program site in the Bronx

Attend meetings regarding the case management system to provide input on its buildout, ensuring it meets funder requirements, facilitates collection of impact data, and is configured to the program’s needs for clarity, efficiency, and ease of use

Fully understand data reporting and compliance requirements and enforce data quality standards across the team, ensuring timely and accurate entry of case outcomes, services provided, and other reportable metrics

Provide comprehensive legal representation to tenants referred to BronxWorks through the Universal Access to Counsel initiative and other referral sources

Litigate in various forums including housing court, appellate courts, and administrative tribunals, including NYCHA tenancy termination proceedings and housing benefits hearings

Provide full legal representation, including: counsel clients on all available legal defenses and strategies; regularly communicate with clients to ensure they are informed on all pertinent information about their case; negotiate with outside counsel; engage in motion practice; present oral arguments at hearings and court conferences; conduct discovery and depositions; prepare for and conduct evidentiary hearings and trials; and advocate with government agencies and external providers on clients’ behalf

Develop and apply expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits to secure the best possible client outcomes

Participate in court-based intake processes and conduct intakes. Engage in client and community outreach and education initiatives

Attend and actively participate in all weekly unit meetings and department-wide all-staff meetings in person to ensure collaboration, case coordination, and alignment on program goals

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification

J.D. from accredited law schoolLitigation experienceTrial advocacyHousing court experienceLegal writingStrategic case planningLitigation managementSupervisory experienceCommunity engagementTraining skillsTech savvinessAnti-displacement strategiesExperience in public benefits advocacyMultiple languagesInterpersonal skillsCommunication skillsOrganizational skills

Required

A J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to practice law in New York State (or eligibility to be admitted on motion or by waiver)

At least three (3) years of experience practicing law, with substantial litigation and trial experience

Demonstrated commitment to social justice and serving low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity

Proven ability to leverage transferable skills, including trial advocacy, legal writing, strategic case planning, and litigation management, to excel in a fast-paced legal environment

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and conduct outreach in under-resourced neighborhoods

Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage a diverse and dynamic caseload generated by a universal access to counsel intake system where clients are legally entitled to representation

Preferred

Supervisory or Leadership Experience: Prior experience mentoring or supervising junior attorneys, law graduates, or legal interns, particularly in housing or tenant defense work

Advanced Litigation Experience: Extensive experience litigating complex housing matters, including trials, appeals, and handling high-volume caseloads in housing court

Experience with Housing Subsidy Programs: In-depth knowledge of New York City housing programs, such as Section 8, NYCHA, and other rental assistance or housing subsidy programs

Proficiency in Multiple Languages: Fluency or proficiency in additional languages commonly spoken in the Bronx, such as Spanish, French, Arabic, or Mandarin

Community Engagement: A track record of working with community organizations, conducting know-your-rights workshops, or engaging in tenant organizing or advocacy

Experience in Public Benefits Advocacy: Familiarity with public benefits programs (e.g., SNAP, SSI, cash assistance) and advocating for clients to secure these benefits in addition to housing stability

Training and Development Skills: Experience leading Continuing Legal Education (CLE) trainings, workshops, or providing structured legal training to colleagues or law students

Knowledge of Anti-Displacement Strategies: Experience in fighting against tenant harassment and displacement, particularly in gentrifying neighborhoods, through both litigation and policy advocacy

Tech Savviness: Experience using legal tech tools like LegalServer, Clio, eCourts, or document automation platforms to streamline legal practice and improve efficiency