Staff Attorney - Housing (Bath)

Qualifications

The candidate must have the caring, patient, and emotional maturity to help people with low-income overcome crisis situations. They must also have:

• Admitted to practice and in good standing in New York State.
• A valid Driver's License and access to a reliable vehicle for transportation to and from court appearances, outreach event locations, and client meetings.
• A demonstrated commitment of service to people with low-income.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Compensation Package

The compensation package includes:

• 94% Employer paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer paid in-network deductible
• 100% Employer paid Dental Insurance
• 100% Employer paid Life Insurance
• 100% Employer paid Enhanced Short-term Disability
• 100% Employer paid Long-term Disability
• Vision Insurance
• 20 Paid Vacation days per year
• 12 Sick days per year
• 5 Personal days per year
• 13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year
• 35-Hour Work Week
• Hybrid Work Schedule

Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney will:

• Maintain a full-time caseload representing eligible clients served by our Eviction Prevention Unit.
• Develop and maintain specialized knowledge in housing matters, particularly: landlord-tenant, subsidized housing, and government benefits.
• Provide legal services to low income clients and client groups regarding these matters including advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy.
• Interact respectfully with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, with an awareness of the importance of cultural competence and humility.
• Collaborate with other LawNY® advocates, human services providers, non-profit organizations and community groups as well as the courts, administrative tribunals and the private bar to address legal problems within our community, including providing community legal education.
• Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment for fellow employees.
• Cooperate in all grant reporting requirements, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing and compliance review.
• Maintain a high level of professional competence through attendance of training sessions, seminars and conferences and individual efforts to keep abreast of current developments in the area of poverty law and the application of an equity lens to client service.

Additional Traits and Skills

The ideal candidate will have:

• Litigation and advocacy experience in state and/or federal court and/or administrative forums within at least one related area of poverty law, especially landlord-tenant, foreclosure, bankruptcy, homelessness prevention, fair housing, and/or government benefits.
• Experience working with individuals and communities facing barriers to accessing resources, opportunities, services or justice.
• Understanding of bias and systemic inequities related to socio-economic status, race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, genetic information, national origin, familial status, and language, to improve client access, engagement and outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a commitment to trauma-informed and culturally responsive services.
• True fluency in a language other than English that is spoken by our clients.