Description
The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice has a Temporary Staff Attorney position for a one-year term available in the Bronx Neighborhood Office’s (BxNO) Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit. The Temporary Staff Attorney represents homeowners defensively in foreclosure and related actions and in affirmative litigation addressing lending, real estate, and trust and estate abuses with the goal of preventing the loss of home, the loss of equity, and homelessness. The BxNO Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit consists of a supervising attorney, four staff attorneys and one paralegals. The BxNO team collaborates closely with the Queens Neighborhood Office’s Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit. Both Units partner with city and statewide advocates on policy advocacy and law reform issues and conduct community outreach and education.
Following with the conclusion of this one-year assignment, the Temporary Staff Attorney will be eligible to apply for other available Staff Attorney positions or will be reassigned to an available Staff Attorney position within the Civil Practice.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Represent clients in state and federal court proceedings, affirmatively and defensively, regarding foreclosure, civil rights, consumer protection, estates administration, quiet title, and partition actions
Represent clients at settlement conferences and other advocacy with lenders to obtain loss mitigation or other home-preserving solutions
Conduct client intake (including offsite and in-person and occasionally in the evenings/weekends)
Train, conduct community outreach, and provide education for individuals, local community-based organizations, and housing advocates
Advocate with local, state and federal agencies on behalf of clients
Play an active role in coalition meetings and advocacy and collaborate with other groups and organizations which will require occasional travel in NYS, approximately 3-4 times annually, for key meetings, events, and other business-related activities.
Flexibility in travel schedules is expected
Advocate for legislative reforms and policy changes including continued funding for HOPP
Work with pro bono lawyers and partner organizations
Represent the Civil Practice and LAS in the community
Promote the work of the office, the Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit and the Civil Practice
Complete administrative tasks as assigned by supervisor, such as those related to grant reporting
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
Juris Doctor and 3 years of required experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
New York State Bar admission or awaiting NYS Bar admission after sitting for the NYS Bar exam
At least three years working with homeowners to preserve their homes and/or protect their equity preferred
Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil legal services
A passion for economic justice
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: $86,520 - $157,075
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 Writing Sample For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email TalentAcquisition@legal-aid.org.
