Staff Attorney - LGBTQ & HIV Advocacy Unit (Brooklyn)

About the role

Brooklyn Legal Services seeks a full-time staff attorney for our LGBTQ+ & HIV Advocacy Project. The position is based in Brooklyn and involves providing comprehensive legal services to people living with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ community.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in a broad range of civil legal issues including discrimination in housing, healthcare, employment, education, and other public accommodations;
• Appealing wrongful denials in public assistance, social security, health insurance, and other benefits;
• Eviction prevention;
• Obtaining legal name and gender marker changes;
• Advancing advance directives (wills, living wills, powers of attorney, etc.)
• File affirmative litigation challenging discrimination and other systemic abuses faced by the LGBTQ and HIV communities;
• Do client intake at regular outreach clinics, sometimes after-hours;
• Establish relationships with community-based organizations and governmental entities that serve PLWHA and LGBTQ populations;
• Make home and hospital visits to meet with clients;
• Litigate in several courts and administrative fora, primarily in Brooklyn housing court, New York State Supreme Court, federal courts, and before the New York State Division of Human Rights and the New York City Commission on Human Rights.

Requirements

• License to practice law in New York with a minimum of four (4) years of legal experience;
• Substantial knowledge regarding HASA benefits;
• Experience litigating cases under the New York City Human Rights Law;
• Substantial civil litigation experience as lead or sole counsel, including conducting and managing discovery;
• Excellent legal research, analysis, writing, and public speaking skills;
• Experience working respectfully and effectively with BIPOC transgender, queer, and nonbinary people, people living with HIV/AIDS or other disabilities, and low-income communities;
• Experience providing direct legal services through a trauma-informed, client-centered approach;
• The ability to think creatively and strategically to advance clients' interests by balancing litigation goals with individual needs, using litigation, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution as appropriate;
• Possession of a growth mindset, humility, a keen understanding of power and privilege, and a willingness to accept input and feedback, especially from clients;
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggle multiple deadlines, keep clear records, communicate proactively, and remain accountable to your commitments;
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggle multiple deadlines, keep clear records, communicate proactively, and remain accountable to your commitments;
• Applicants must be willing and able to conduct outreach and education events in low-income neighborhoods.

Qualifications and Skills

• License to practice law in New York with a minimum of four (4) years of legal experience;
• Substantial knowledge regarding HASA benefits;
• Experience litigating cases under the New York City Human Rights Law;
• Substantial civil litigation experience as lead or sole counsel, including conducting and managing discovery;
• Excellent legal research, analysis, writing, and public speaking skills;
• Experience working respectfully and effectively with BIPOC transgender, queer, and nonbinary people, people living with HIV/AIDS or other disabilities, and low-income communities;
• Experience providing direct legal services through a trauma-informed, client-centered approach;
• The ability to think creatively and strategically to advance clients' interests by balancing litigation goals with individual needs, using litigation, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution as appropriate;
• Possession of a growth mindset, humility, a keen understanding of power and privilege, and a willingness to accept input and feedback, especially from clients;
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggle multiple deadlines, keep clear records, communicate proactively, and remain accountable to your commitments;
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggle multiple deadlines, keep clear records, communicate proactively, and remain accountable to your commitments;
• Applicants must be willing and able to conduct outreach and education events in low-income neighborhoods.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience litigating in federal court;
• Significant litigation experience litigating New York State Human Rights Laws and federal discrimination laws including but not limited to the American with Disabilities Act;
• Fluency or proficiency in one or more language(s) commonly spoken by our client communities;
• Proficiency with case management software.

Benefits

LSNYC acknowledges that applicants from groups that have been historically marginalized are less likely to apply for positions unless they feel that they meet 100% of a job description's qualifications. We understand that the ideal candidate might not completely meet the criteria listed above or be equally proficient in each area; we especially encourage applicants who are impacted by LSNYC's work to submit their application anyway.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples.

Salary and benefits are determined by the LSNYC Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Dependent on work history and experience.

Salary Range: $85,612 - $133,347 USD

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.

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