Tenants’ Rights Attorney

AGENCY BACKGROUND:

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization founded in 1979 that has grown into a leading multi-service agency with over 120 staff serving New York City with a focus on upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of the people in our community on their paths to secure and prosperous futures. Integration is the cornerstone of NMIC’s programs, and our staff can identify and address a broad array of immediate needs through comprehensive crisis intervention services. With their crises resolved, clients move seamlessly to capacity building services through our holistic programs designed to transition individuals and families to self-sufficiency.

• Our Legal, Organizing, Advocacy, and Weatherization programs meet community members’ basic needs including housing, immigration, benefits/finance, and health.
• Our Education and Career Services programs support community members as they develop the practical tools necessary to build secure and prosperous futures

Job Title: Tenants’ Rights Attorney

Department: Legal, Organizing, & Advocacy

Unit: Buildings Unit

Reports to: Managing Attorney for Buildings and Group Advocacy

Location: Main Office, 45 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033

FLSA Status: Exempt

Model: Hybrid, averaging 2 days per week in office/field/court

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

NMIC’s Tenants’ Rights Attorney works with our highly skilled and experienced interdisciplinary legal and tenant organizing team. This position requires advocacy in housing matters including representation in Bronx & Manhattan Housing Courts, administrative hearings, benefits advocacy, and supreme court and appellate practice with proven approaches to affordable housing retention, community stabilization, and repair/maintenance issues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide legal representation and advocacy to clients with housing issues with a focus on group advocacy and affirmative litigation, including representation in housing court, administrative venues, supreme court, and appellate litigation.
• Work with organizing and group advocacy unit staff and tenant organizers to provide representation in possible group or class action cases.
• Participate in community-based initiatives on housing issues.
• Provide clients with benefits advocacy.
• Collaboratively develop approaches to affordable housing retention.
• Maintain daily and consistent case notes and status updates in NMIC’s proprietary database.
• Organize and maintain client files in compliance with grant requirements.

Additional tasks may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D. Law Degree/LL.B. with admission to the New York State Bar or willingness to take exam.
• Relevant housing and court experience preferred.
• Experience working with similar populations in a community-based setting strongly preferred.
• Ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple assignments, and meet deadlines.
• Strong verbal and writing skills in English.
• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish are preferred but not required.

SALARY/BENEFITS: NMIC offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance; paid time off consisting of 20 vacation days, 15 sick days, 5 personal days, 11 agency holidays, plus the week off from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day; a 401k with agency contribution; and other benefits.

NMIC IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: NMIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply for employment. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements. A combination of education and experience will be considered unless specifically stated otherwise.