Tenant Defense Staff Attorney

BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger community. In all aspects of our work, we strive for the highest ethical and performance standards and guided by the belief that people are to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their present situation or past experiences. We have 60 locations throughout the borough providing a variety of programs that offer assistance in the areas of family, children and youth support, educational services, elder care, homelessness, mental health, and workforce development. We are an employer of choice for anyone interested in a meaningful career in the social services field.

BronxWorks Legal Services – Tenant Defense Program:

The BronxWorks model aims to break the cycle of poverty by mobilizing the organization’s extensive resources to apply a holistic and progressive approach, helping individuals and families transition from crisis to self-sufficiency. A crucial component of this continuum of support is BronxWorks Legal Services, which provides free legal assistance to those seeking immigration stability, facing eviction, and surviving domestic violence and other crimes. Within BronxWorks Legal Services, the Tenant Defense Program plays a vital role in securing housing stability by representing low-income tenants in eviction proceedings and advocating for essential public benefits to preserve affordable housing. The program supports New York City’s groundbreaking Universal Access to Counsel initiative, which ensures low-income tenants the right to full legal representation in eviction proceedings. Tenant Defense Attorneys will develop expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits. BronxWorks seeks admitted attorneys and recent law graduates eager to work in a dynamic setting and advance every available legal strategy to secure optimal client results. The Tenant Defense. Program offers an excellent opportunity to launch or grow a public interest legal career, hone litigation expertise, and meaningfully contribute to efforts to prevent displacement of Bronx communities

BronxWorks is hiring one (1) Staff Attorney for the Anti Eviction Program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide comprehensive legal representation to tenants referred to BronxWorks through the Universal Access to Counsel initiative and other referral sources.
• Litigate in various forums including housing court, appellate courts, and administrative tribunals, including NYCHA tenancy termination proceedings and housing benefits hearings.
• Provide full legal representation including counseling clients on all available legal defenses and strategies, regularly communicating with clients to ensure they are informed on all pertinent information about their case, effectively negotiate with outside counsel, engage in motion practice, present oral arguments at hearings and court conferences, conduct discovery and depositions, prepare for and conduct evidentiary hearings and trials, and advocate with government agencies and external providers on clients’ behalf.
• Develop and apply expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits to secure the best possible client outcomes.
• Participate in court-based intake processes and conduct intakes.
• Engage in client and community outreach and education initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A J.D. from an accredited law school, and either a July 2024 bar exam taker or attorney admitted to practice in New York State, or an attorney who has recently passed the NY Bar Exam or its equivalent.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and conduct community outreach in low-income neighborhoods.
• Excellent legal research, oral and written advocacy, and analytical skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills including the ability to manage a diverse and fast-paced caseload generated by a universal access to counsel intake system where clients are legally entitled to representation.
• Litigation experience, including that gained through law school clinics, internships, and externships.
• Experience in housing, landlord/tenant, or related advocacy.
• Fluency or proficiency in either Spanish or another relevant language other than English is preferred.

Preferred Qualification 

• Litigation experience, including that gained through law school clinics, internships, and externships.
• Experience in housing, landlord/tenant, or related advocacy.
• Fluency or proficiency in either Spanish or another relevant language other than English is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to use a computer for prolonged periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to bend and retrieve objects and/or documents.
• Ability to travel in the boroughs of New York City and its adjacent counties via public transportation.
• Ability to travel for a minimum of 1 mile within a reasonable amount of time and in all types of weather, including inclement weather, if required to conduct home visits and/or field work.

BronxWorks seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and employee development, placement, promotion, demotion, upgrading, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact hrbenefits@bronxworks.org.

BronxWorks seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and employee development, placement, promotion, demotion, upgrading, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact hrbenefits@bronxworks.org.