Supervising Attorney

Job Title: Supervising Attorney, Tenant Advocacy

Location: Hybrid with required travel to Rochester Telesca Center and Monroe County Housing Courts

Do you want an impactful career helping low-income individuals AND quality time to spend with your family or pursue your hobbies?

You can have both by joining Empire Justice Center as a Supervising Attorney, Tenant Advocacy !

About Empire Justice Center

Empire Justice Center is a diverse, highly respected statewide legal services organization that fights for marginalized low-income individuals and families across New York. We succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, legislative advocacy, and training the next generation of advocates. Our team is passionate, determined, and committed to justice for communities facing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, domestic violence, disability discrimination, and civil rights violations in schools.

What makes this role unique:

You'll defend low-income immigrants, many of whom don’t speak English, facing housing eviction and habitability issues, while also being part of an organization that is driving policy change and is training the next generation of advocates. This isn't just direct service; it's a chance to be part of a team that shapes the future of poverty law in New York. You’ll also enjoy:

• True work-life Balance: A flexible 35-hour full-time work week (true work-life balance)!
• A small caseload with big impact: Work an average of 5 impactful cases at a time!
• Loan repayment assistance: Pay off your student loans using this program!
• An employer paid, comprehensive health insurance plan for you AND your family: Empire Justice Center pays your health insurance premiums!
• Additional benefits include: 14 paid holidays + generous vacation, sick, and personal time, 403(b) with employer contributions (vesting after 12 months), and a $1500 bilingual salary enhancement for qualifying employees.

Responsibilities:

• Eligible to work a hybrid schedule under Empire Justice’s organizational policy.
• Represent low-income tenants in eviction proceedings and warranty of habitability cases in Monroe County housing courts
• Supervise paralegal to effectively and efficiently handle cases
• If needed, provide support to other attorneys and paralegals on the Tenant Advocacy Team as needed
• Maintain a docket of housing cases, including holdover and nonpayment summary proceedings for eviction
• Collaborate with advocates and attorneys from partnering organizations to find resources to preserve clients' housing
• Provide legal advice via an interpreter to clients who do not speak English, as needed
• Work with other advocates to identify and assist with related legal needs, including immigration issues, services for crime victims, access to public benefits, and civil rights in housing and language access
• Support impact litigation, as needed
• Participate in regular supervision meetings, including work plan development and grant deliverable management
• Supervise other practice group members

Your Experience and Attributes:

• A high level of comfort and commitment to working with people from marginalized communities
• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited US law school or international equivalent with admission to the New York State Bar and in good standing as a member.
• 5+ years of legal experience related to landlord/tenant matters, housing, litigation, legal services, or similar experience (public defender & litigation or real estate & litigation)
• Prior experience supervising legal staff

The salary range for this position is $93,439–$96,109.

Empire Justice Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly desires a diverse and inclusive workforce. Empire Justice Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, specifically - race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, disability status, genetics, neurodiversity, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.