Supervising Attorney, Queens Tenant Defense

MAJOR PURPOSE OF THE POSITIONThe Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice is seeking an experienced lawyer with a commitment to public interest practice to join a dedicated team of managers as a Supervising Attorney of the Queens 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 eviction prevention cases through the Universal Access (often referred to as the Right to Counsel) program in Housing Court.The Supervising Attorney will primarily supervise staff, provide training, 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/RESPONSIBILITIESHousing Supervision DutiesSupervise and train staff attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers/internsMonitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client serviceCollaborate and work closely with the Attorney-in-Charge of the Queens office, Director of Housing, Housing Coordinators, and the housing, benefits and grants management teams on all aspects of the citywide housing practiceIdentify needs and resources for the Queens Neighborhood Office and participate in management team responsibilities to meet those needsCoordinate intakeRepresent clients in local, state, and federal administrative and court proceedingsRespond to client concernsReinforce and maintain staff accountabilityAnalyze legal issues, and develop and supervise the implementation of legal strategiesDevelop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and the courtsRepresent the Civil Practice and Legal Aid in the communityConduct community education, training, and outreach and promote the work of the office, the Housing Practice, and the Civil PracticeContinuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environmentConduct off-site intake as neededTeam Development and Management DutiesAssign work, approve time off, and remote work schedule requests following the guidance of LAS policy and proceduresAttend management meetings, participate in management trainings, and utilize current employment policies, practices and guidance as provided by management and Human ResourcesConduct management and supervision practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplaceSupervise direct reports in setting performance standards, provide routine feedback as well as coaching/counseling, and issue disciplinary action as neededIdentify and provide training and development opportunities and ensure mandatory trainings are completedResolve employee conflict, complaints, and address union concerns, with guidance from Borough Housing Director, Attorney-in-Charge of the Queens Neighborhood Office, other senior Civil Practice leaders, and Human ResourcesProfessional Development and Other Duties as AssignedParticipate in continuous professional developmentContinuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environmentOther duties as assignedQUALIFICATIONSRequired 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 necessaryDemonstrated commitment to and experience in civil legal servicesMinimum of three years of legal practiceMinimum of three years of housing court and housing practice experience requiredPreferred qualifications:Minimum of one year of supervisory and management experience preferred or relevant experience such as leadership positions in a membership organizationExperience conducting trainingsExperience working with vulnerable populations, including but not limited to seniors, preferredPro bono, government, public service, and academic experience will be considered, but is not requiredProficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not requiredKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIESPosition Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Knowledge of Housing law and Benefits lawExcellent litigation skills and experience litigating in various forumsExcellent oral and written advocacy skillsAbility to work in a collaborative team modelExcellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skillsCommitment to exploring alternative approaches for legal practiceDemonstrated commitment to addressing fundamental issues of poverty and justice within a comprehensive civil legal services model of representationSupervision Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Ability to schedule, assign, and manage staff workloadsAbility to create and implement effective communication plansAbility to provide meaningful performance feedback for professional development including having difficult conversations and resolving sensitive employee issuesPursue continuous learning on forms of systemic oppression of marginalized identities and establish team norms and management practices using an equity mindset informed by inclusive practicesOrganizational Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Commitment to Legal Aid Society's mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New YorkersInterpersonal and communication skills that enable healthy and productive working relationshipsAbility to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respectCommitment to Legal Aid Society's mission and valuesPhysical, environment, travel, and other duties required:Requires both sedentary time and non-sedentary physical movement, significant time using a computer and monitor; communicating and meeting using videoMay or will require travel within NYC, across the five-borough regionSALARY AND BENEFITSThe 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: $99,600 - $168,100The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.Higher Education and Loan ForgivenessThe Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.studentaid.govhesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programsWORK AUTHORIZATIONAll applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)HOW TO APPLYAll applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:Cover LetterResumeFor technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email TalentAcquisition@legal-aid.org.EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYAs an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one's internal deeply-held sense of one's gender which may be the same or different from one's sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one's name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION