Supervising Attorney

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. NYLAG’s staff of 400 impacted the lives of 129,000 people last year.

Job description

NYLAG has an immediate opening for a Supervising Attorney to be a part of the dynamic Consumer Protection Unit (CPU) team. CPU represents clients in a wide and significant range of consumer rights matters by helping low-income individuals fight devastating fraud, predatory lending, and illegal debt collection practices as well as assist those in need of crucial loan modifications and foreclosure defense. In addition, NYLAG advocates for clients who face possibly devastating income loss due to civil court judgments; defaulted student loans from predatory for-profit schools; sub-prime loan conditions; and lending scams targeting historically poor, limited English proficient, and/or immigrant communities. CPU staff work not only to resolve the immediate problem, but also to ensure long-term security for victims and their families.

The Supervising Attorney for this position has the unique opportunity to be a part of the Consumer Protection Project within CPU. The Supervising Attorney will focus on providing close supervision primarily for CPP staff, reviewing, editing, overseeing the substantive work involved as well as providing training and also assisting in grant requirements, meetings and reporting, being active in the consumer advocacy community including helping to determine unit and project priorities, attend consumer community events, conduct workshops and provide presentations and trainings for consumer advocates and community organizations outside of NYLAG. The Supervising Attorney will attend supervisor meetings and training and communicate and respond to management and upper management as needed. The Supervising Attorney will take initiative to guide staff through legal strategies on cases, as well as personal strategies for success such as time management, case selection, and trial preparation assistance. The Supervising Attorney will provide leadership to CPU, provide regular one on one meetings and check ins with staff, and report to the Director regarding progress, initiatives, ideas, supervision and all other matters within the Unit. The Supervisor will also staff VLFD and other unit projects as needed, manage and monitor CPP’s administrative and technical needs at the site including scheduling matters. This position requires the Supervising Attorney to interact with lenders and funders on a high level basis, provide feedback, create and enforce CPP program structures. The Supervising Attorneys’ time may also be spent as needed on a wide range of relevant and necessary tasks for CPU, including conducting legal research; investigating new areas of relevant law; and many other tasks which may arise within and outside the unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervision of CPP/CPU staff, volunteers, pro bono scholars, interns, etc. in all substantive and administrative matters
• Provide advice, guidance and mentorship for staff regarding cases and legal
• Prepare and present workshops and trainings for clients, staff and various communities, as well as draft and distribute various outreach materials
• Support the professional growth of staff through trainings and other opportunities.
• Foster, encourage, and model teamwork and respectful communication.
• Conduct community education, training, and outreach to promote the work of the project and to address needs in the community.
• Prepare and submit project reports to meet all grant-based reporting requirements
• Litigate and conduct trials when necessary, and investigate facts through interviews and document
• Work closely and collaborate with NYLAG’s organization-wide team of experienced attorneys, supervisors, and case handlers, and receive both hands- on and formal training.
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar required, Federal Court Admission preferred
• 5 years practicing in the area of Consumer law, and two years litigating
• Knowledge of student loan debt preferred
• A commitment to, and passion for, serving vulnerable New Yorkers and immigrant populations of diverse backgrounds, as well as a passion for public interest law
• Leadership ability, desire and skill to help lead the unit toward growth, continued stability and excellence in service delivery and expertise, as well as generate ideas and identify opportunities for unit advancement and improvement
• Highly organized and ability to successfully manage multiple priorities
• Able to work independently and as part of a team and skill in collaborating with staff
• Excellent communication, research, and writing skills

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:

☒ Professional

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 $103,824 - $123,576.

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. Applicants without a cover letter will not be considered.

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.