Staff Attorney

Staff Attorney

The Tenant Defense Project represents individual and group tenants in trial and appellate matters, including holdovers, nonpayment proceedings, administrative hearings, and affirmative litigation in state and local courts.

The Staff Attorney will provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients, including advice, negotiation, motion practice, discovery, and litigation. The attorney will appear in City, Town, and Village Courts across the region in eviction and warranty-of-habitability cases and will participate in education and outreach for community members, advocates, and service providers. The attorney will offer holistic assistance to clients facing financial or other hardships that may result in loss of housing.

Essential Job Duties

• Manage a full caseload of clients experiencing housing instability, ensuring high-quality legal services.
• Provide legal representation in summary eviction proceedings, administrative hearings, and affirmative litigation.
• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, motions, memoranda, discovery requests and responses, and letters.
• Negotiate settlements and payment agreements with landlords, property managers, and opposing counsel.
• Prepare clients for hearings, depositions, and trial testimony.
• Handle discovery including document review, requests for production, and interrogatories.
• Pursue emergency relief including temporary restraining orders and orders to show cause when immediate housing loss is threatened.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete case records in compliance with LSC regulations, LASMNY policies, and grant reporting requirements.
• Document client interactions, case progress, and outcomes in the case management system.
• Provide holistic legal counseling addressing interconnected legal issues affecting housing stability, including benefits, employment, family law, and consumer issues.
• Assist clients in accessing social services, financial assistance programs, and community resources.
• Assist with intake at courthouses and off-site locations, including during evening hours, to ensure accessibility for clients.
• Deliver training, outreach, and educational programs to individuals, community-based organizations, and housing advocates.
• Conduct "Know Your Rights" presentations specifically focused on tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Participate in coalitions and task forces focused on housing justice.
• Serve as an ambassador for LASMNY, promoting our work within the community.
• Collaborate effectively with partner organizations, pro bono attorneys, and other stakeholders.
• Stay current on developments in landlord-tenant law, housing policy, and eviction prevention strategies.
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings.
• Exhibit a strong commitment to advancing the mission of LASMNY.

Professional Standards

• Demonstrate the highest level of professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive client information.
• Communicate effectively and courteously with clients, attorneys, court personnel, and community partners.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance in accordance with organizational policies.
• Adapt to new technologies and systems, including legal research tools and case management software.
• Comply with all Legal Services Corporation regulations, LASMNY policies and procedures, and grant-based reporting requirements.
• Perform additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by a supervisor based on agency needs.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school with zero to five years of experience.
• Admission to practice law in New York State. Law school graduates registered for the New York State Bar Exam, or eligible for admission on motion, are encouraged to apply.
• Excellent written, analytical, organizational, and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and serving communities facing systemic barriers to justice.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, and manage a high volume of cases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in landlord-tenant law preferred.
• Proficiency in languages other than English preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary, starting at $78,000.00 for law graduates with no experience and up to $96,294.00 for licensed attorneys with five years of experience. LASMNY provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, paid leave, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

LASMNY is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. LASMNY provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process. Please contact Human Resources to request assistance.