Paralegal, Foreclosure Prevention Project

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services were virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 380 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description

NYLAG has an immediate opening for a bright and motivated college graduate to be a grant-coordinating and foreclosure prevention case-handling paralegal in its Foreclosure Prevention Project (FPP). NYLAG’s Foreclosure Prevention Project provides legal representation and community education for homeowners facing foreclosure and other risks to homeownership, including New York City Department of Building violations. The project assists clients with all aspects of foreclosure defense litigation and foreclosure resolutions including, modifications, reinstatements, deed transfers, real estate closings, and short sales. The project also represents homeowners before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

The successful candidate will spend approximately half of his or her time handling client intakes and the remaining half assisting clients and coordinating FPP’s grants. Coordination responsibilities include managing referrals, liaising with partner agency staff, and reporting on client outcomes.This position requires someone with the skills and sensitivity to interact with a large number of agency staff and a diverse range of NYLAG clients. The breadth and variety of incoming referrals provide an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the full range of civil legal services needs of New York City and Long Island homeowners. In addition, the case-handling portion of this position will provide in-depth knowledge and experience with advising and representing individuals throughout New York City and Long Island on issues related to homeownership.

This position is an ideal opportunity for someone interested in a career in law, public policy, real estate or affordable housing. Applicants should demonstrate a strong commitment to public service and should have excellent oral, written, and analytic abilities. The successful candidate will work closely with NYLAG’s experienced attorneys and paralegals and will receive both on-the-job and more formal training. Paralegals working full-time on this project must be prepared to travel to Long Island and throughout New York City for court clinics and outreach events, as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• • Assist clients by conducting in-person and telephonic intakes and consultations;
  • Manage referrals from partner agencies;
  • Assist clients by preparing and submitting loan modification applications and other homeowner program applications including the Homeowner Assistance Fund;
  • Liaise with vast network of partner agency staff on attorney presentations, clinics and client matters;
  • Grant reporting on project outcomes using Legal Server, Excel templates and data analysis;
  • Under the supervision of an attorney, handle client cases and assist clients with informal advocacy related to mortgage servicer misconduct and homeowner program eligibility;
  • Assist clients by advocating with government agencies (i.e. NYC Department of Finance; New York State Attorney General; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) to resolve mortgage issues and other risks to homeownership;
  • Provide referrals for cases that are beyond the scope of FPP;
  • Schedule outreach events at partner sites on Long Island and New York City, including the Mobile Legal Help Center van, a legal clinic on wheels; and
  • Attend in-person and virtual outreach events at partner sites on Long Island and in New York City, including the Mobile Legal Help Center van, a legal clinic on wheels; and
  • Research and write client vignettes to reflect positive case outcomes to funders.

Qualifications

• Desire to work directly with clients
• Fluency in any of the following languages is preferred: Spanish
• Detail-oriented, organized, excellent time management skills
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience with New York City legal firms, social services organizations, or experience with consumer law preferred
• A commitment to, and passion for, serving vulnerable New Yorkers and immigrant populations of diverse backgrounds
• A desire to learn the relevant advocacy strategies and law
• Passion for public interest and strong desire to help people
• Excellent communication, research, and writing skills
• Excellent oral, written, and analytic abilities
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Full-time

Professional Level:

☒ Entry Level

Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $52,571.00 – $58,817.00

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.