Attorney-in-Charge, Community Justice Connect

innovatingjustice; New York (NY); On-site; USD 86,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Dental coverage

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Commuter FSA

Mental health benefits (Talkspace/Ging

403(b) retirement plan

Job summary

The Center for Justice Innovation is seeking a qualified attorney to lead Community Justice Connect’s civil legal efforts across multiple New York sites. You will provide legal guidance to volunteers, train staff, and coordinate resources to support low-income communities facing housing, benefits, immigration, and family law issues.

You will act as the primary legal liaison, oversee training programs, and help develop new initiatives while collaborating with leadership on budgeting and funding.

Qualifications

• J.D. and two+ years of professional experience navigating New York City civil legal systems (housing, benefits, family, debt, immigration).
• 1+ year supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and managerial skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to social justice and community empowerment.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal expertise to the Community Justice Connect project, guiding volunteers and staff.
• Oversee civil legal training for program volunteers and staff, developing accessible educational resources and programming.
• Serve as primary legal contact for Connect staff and volunteers on issues arising from visitor inquiries.
• Provide brief legal advice on civil matters such as eviction, benefits, Article 78 hearings, child support or custody.
• Collaborate with Housing Justice Initiatives and leadership on strategic planning, budgeting, and funding development.
• Supervise Program Managers across Connect sites in Jamaica, Brooklyn, and the South Bronx.
• Ensure program sites meet goals and maintain program-wide marketing and stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organization

Time management

Social justice

Education

J.D. (New York civil legal systems)

Job description

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we’ve worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

1. Operating Programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges;
2. Conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn’t; and
3. Providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond.

Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide.
Learn more about our work at www.innovatingjustice.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Community Justice Connect,operatedby the Center for Justice Innovation, is a network of storefront centersthatprovidefree legal information,assistance, and referrals to people with civil legal problems. The programseeksto solve issues in areas like housing, public benefits, employment, family law, and immigration before they become emergencies that must be litigated in court. Currently, Community Justice Connectoperatesin Brooklyn,theBronx,and Queens.In addition tocommunity justice workers (non-lawyers)providing direct serviceassistance, the program trains community volunteers toprovide assistance totheir neighbors.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide legalexpertiseto theCommunity Justice Connectproject, offering support and guidance to volunteers and staff;
• Oversee civil legal training for program volunteers and staff, includingthe development and implementation ofaccessible,educationalresources and programming;
• Act as the primary point of contact forConnectstaff and volunteers on legal matters that arise from visitor issues. The candidate must have extensive knowledge ofcivilareas of law which affect low-income residents, includingHousing Law,Government Benefits, Consumer Debt, Immigration, and/or Family Law; and
• Providebrieflegal advice to visitors regarding civil areas of law, including but not limitedto:eviction proceedings, government benefits termination proceedings, such as fair hearings of Article 78 proceedings, childsupportand/or custody proceedings, etc.

Vision and Strategic Program Development

• Collaboratewith Housing Justice Initiatives:Work closely with the broader Housing Justice Initiatives Departmentto develop and implement housing strategies that align with the broader mission of increasing community-based access to justice;
• Facilitate conversations withprogram stafftoidentify, sustain, and explore new funding sources, and to develop and coordinate new initiatives;
• Ensureallprogram sitesare meeting or exceeding program goals;
• Work in collaboration withleadershiponstrategic planning and implementation of new programming;
• Overseethe day-to-day budget byestablishingquarterly and yearly budget goals;
• Developandmaintainrelationships with funders, government officials, as well as community stakeholdersand program leadership across the Center;and
• Develop andmaintainprogram-wide marketing strategy, including social media,incollaboration with the CJI Communications team.

Policy and Protocol Implementation

• Ensureprogramstaff are providing the highest qualityof service toprogram participants acrosssites;
• Overseeprogram performance initiatives, including coordination ofprogram research, planning, and reporting activities with DAAR team;
• Assistthe Center’s Development team in grant management and writing, including monthly and quarterly reporting to funders and opportunities for new initiatives; and
• Develop procedures and protocols to track and meetprogramdeliverables.

Operations and Personnel Management

• Directly superviseProgram ManagersacrossConnect sitesin Jamaica, Brooklyn, and the South Bronx, NY;
• Support Program Managers with operational responsibilities, including direct supervision of Program Associatesand volunteers;
• Overseethe quality of program data and materials, refining and improving workflow and case processing when necessary;
• Work withstakeholdersto ensure program operations run smoothly; and
• Deviseand implement strategies for improvingprogram-widecohesiveness and interdepartmental communication.

Other Duties

• Undertake any other duties assigned by the organization’s leadership, contributing to the overall success and growth of Community Justice Connect;
• Assistother Center administrative and leadership responsibilities as needed;and
• Other relevant tasks, as necessary.

Qualifications

• J.D. and two years+ professional experience in New York City civil legal systems navigation, such as: housing services, government benefits, family justice, consumer debt, and/or immigration issues;
• 1 year+ supervisory experience preferred;
• Strongleadership and managerial skills;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• Demonstrate excellent written, communication,and organizational skills;and
• Commitment to social justice and community empowerment.

Position Type

Full-time, evening and weekend hours required.

Position Location

Required travel across Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens offices.

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $86,100 - $100,000 and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits

The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basicdental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our goal is to create a supportive and respectful environment where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and included.

Recruitment and Visa

At this time, the Center is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Application Integrity

Candidates are expected to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the hiring process. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of material facts may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of an offer, or termination of employment, regardless of when discovered.

Verification

In compliance with federal law, all hires must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment verification form upon hire. Please refer to the job posting for relevant contact information. If contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.