Description:
A Community Center in New York Law Project provides free legal services and organizing support to low-income individuals, families, and groups of tenants in the west side of Manhattan. Our mission is to empower tenants and preserve affordable housing through advocacy, legal representation, relationship building, and grassroots education. We aim to protect tenants' rights and hold bad actors accountable while working towards establishing pro-tenant laws and sound housing policy through city and statewide coalition work. To these ends, we integrate tenant voices and collaborate with the community, particularly SRO tenants and marginalized populations.Qualifications:
- Represent low-income individuals and tenant groups in housing-related litigation – in particular non-payment, holdover and repairs-related cases – in the state court system, including Housing Court and appellate courts;
- Advocate for clients with various administrative agencies for matters including rent overcharge, harassment, public assistance, rent arrears grants, and Section 8 benefits;
- Handle full case load from intake interview through negotiation/litigation, including motion practice and trial, to resolution;
- Advise individual tenants, tenant groups, and tenant organizations on legal rights and strategies; conduct know-your-rights trainings, housing clinics and workshops;
- Conduct legal research, write legal memoranda;
- Assist in identifying and developing impact litigation;
- Work with tenant organizers to do outreach and represent tenant associations in various courts and administrative agencies;
- Participate in developing organizing and legal strategies in furtherance of the Project's efforts to protect and preserve permanent affordable housing.
Qualifications/Educational Requirements
- Admitted, or pending admission, to the New York State Bar;
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice work;
- Experience representing or working with tenants, or low-income individuals and households;
- Familiarity with New York State and City housing-related issues and laws;
- Strong research and writing skills;
- Fluency in Spanish or French is required.
