Job Title: Supervising Senior Attorney, Tenant Advocacy (ERAP)
Location: Remote (with travel to Central Islip and housing courts on Long Island, primarily Suffolk County)
Do you want an impactful career helping low-income immigrants AND quality time to spend with your family or pursue your hobbies?
You can have both by joining Empire Justice Center as a Supervising Senior Attorney, Tenant Advocacy (ERAP)!
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 work week (true work-life balance)!
- A small caseload with big impact: Work an average of 10-20 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
Responsibilities:
- Represent low-income tenants in eviction proceedings in housing courts, primarily in Suffolk County, and may include Nassau County as needed
- Supervise and work closely with Tenant Advocacy Team members, including an attorney and paralegal, to effectively and efficiently handle cases
- If needed, provide legal advice via an interpreter to clients who do not speak English
- 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
- Work with the Tenant Advocacy Team 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
Your Experience and Attributes:
- A high level of comfort and commitment to working with people from marginalized communities, including individuals who do not speak English
- Juris Doctorate Degree with admission to the New York State Bar and in good standing
- 7+ 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
- Having bilingual communication skills is preferred, though not required
