Deputy Director, HCRP, Queens

Deputy Director, HCRP, Queens

Queens Legal Services

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer.

Founded in 1967, QLS seeks equal access to justice for all low-income residents of Queens through a range of legal advocacy, education, and community partnerships. We provide free legal counseling, representation, and referrals in civil matters involving the essentials of life including housing, public and disability benefits, domestic violence prevention, consumer and homeowner protections, access to education, and employment rights to eligible low-income individuals and families. We work with our clients and partners to identify and address root causes for systemic inequalities in Queens and throughout New York City. We provide civil legal services from our office in Jamaica, Queens. We are part of a network of local programs that make up Legal Services NYC, the largest free civil legal services provider in the United States.

HCRP's mission is to engage creative strategies and zealous advocacy in the pursuit of justice for Queens residents. We help homeowners facing foreclosure and other threats to homeownership through litigation, non-litigation advocacy, and community education in an effort to challenge abusive lending practices and other predatory threats to homeownership in Queens and throughout New York. HCRP is developing a Surrogate's Court practice through which we help families build and protect intergenerational wealth by ensuring the preservation of family homes and other assets when a loved one dies. HCRP advocates are leaders in City and State-wide advocacy to expand rights for homeowners and enhance access to the courts.

The Deputy Director will work with the HCRP Director to manage all aspects of work for a team that presently consists of one director, six staff attorneys, and two paralegals. The Deputy Director will support and supervise HCRP advocates in representing clients in all aspects of homeownership preservation, including intake and case assessment, providing limited scope advice, negotiating settlements, and engaging in the full range of litigation, including drafting pleadings and motions, conducting discovery, and arguing appeals. The Deputy Director will also advocate for broader policy initiatives expanding homeowner rights. The Deputy Director will be expected to manage multiple projects at once, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and work in close collaboration with QLS leadership to shape the direction of the HCRP, develop and strengthen relationships with partner community-based organizations, and identify systemic trends that could be improved through strategic litigation or broader advocacy. The Deputy Director will also be expected to assist with managing the administrative aspects of the unit, including grant management and reporting, identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities, monitoring client intake processes, and managing day-to-day personnel issues.

QLS seeks a candidate with: A J.D. from an accredited law school and license to practice law in New York; a demonstrated passion for social justice and commitment to working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity; demonstrated experience in foreclosure defense litigation is required. Additional experience in areas such as bankruptcy, consumer justice, fair housing, civil rights, estates matters, and/or economic justice is preferred; demonstrated experience in a leadership, mentorship, or supervisory role is preferred; excellent writing, communication, and oral presentation skills; the ability to effectively lead outreach, education, litigation, and team projects; leadership and supervision skills appropriate to lead a team that includes staff attorneys, paralegals and interns; a facility working with basic software used in a law office setting, and proficiency in the entire MS Office suite; and enthusiasm for partnering with community-based advocates and organizations.

Dependent on work history and experience.

Salary Range $115,584 - $183,696 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.