The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice is seeking experienced and talented lawyers with a deep commitment to public interest practice and policy to join a dedicated team of managers, staff attorneys, social workers, supervisors and support personnel as a Supervising Attorney of the Government Benefits work of Housing Attorneys and Paralegal Casehandlers in the Staten Island Neighborhood Office.
The Government Benefits work may include but is not limited to representation, legal assistance, legal advocacy and education to clients who need income and related supports from city, state and federal programs. The Supervisor will provide support to housing advocates representing low-income tenants in housing-related matters who seek assistance relating to benefits cases, including rent arrears, grants from city agencies and charities. They will supervise housing case handlers in their work which will include representing clients at administrative hearings and advocacy with NYC HRA and NYS OTDA to ensure they are receiving the maximum benefits to which they are entitled. They will coordinate with citywide initiatives related to all government benefits. They will also work with other Supervisor to build their substantive knowledge and skills related to public benefits generally and rent subsidy and arrears advocacy, in particular.
The Supervising Attorney reports to the Attorney-in-Charge, Staten Island and Attorney-in-Charge, Housing Citywide, and will be primarily responsible for the efficient provision of benefits advocacy in housing cases. The Supervising Attorney will coordinate and collaborate with the supervisor of Government Benefits Unit of Staten Island to create Practice-wide training and advocacy programming for benefits advocates. The Supervising Attorney will be a mentor to and supervise experienced and new staff and provide legal leadership in working with other staff to prioritize legal issues. They will also provide support on grant projects. The Supervising Attorney participants in Practice-wide management discussions and decision-making and is responsible for maintaining relationships with other stakeholders in the legal, court, and service communities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervise, mentor, and train staff attorneys, housing coordinators, and paralegal casehandlers
- Participate in structural and strategical planning for the benefits work within the housing practice of their respective neighborhood office
- Represent clients in state and federal administration and court proceedings
- Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
- Foster and encourage teamwork and communication
- Reinforce and maintain staff accountability
- Assist with the implementation and reporting of programs including necessary grant reporting
- Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and supervise the implementation of legal strategies under the supervision and at the direction of the direction of the Director of Housing and in consultation with the Director of Government Benefits develop impact and/or affirmative litigation
- Respond to clients and community
- Assist with planning and conducting citywide and statewide coalition meetings and task forces
- Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials and the courts
- Represent the Civil Practice and Legal Aid in the community
- Conduct off-site intake, including during evening hours as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Required Documents
Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the LAS (Legal Aid Society) Recruitment Portal.
Cover Letter
Resume
Writing Sample
Deadline is 3:00 PM EST for Date Listed
Jun 21, 2024
Location
Staten Island – Civil Practice Neighborhood Office