Paralegal, Legal Affairs

Breaking Ground; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Breaking Ground seeks a Paralegal, Legal Affairs, to support real estate, housing, and regulatory work in New York City. The role focuses on vendor contracts, regulatory compliance, and planning initiatives, with on-site responsibilities five days a week.

The Paralegal will prepare reports, maintain records, and liaise with internal teams and external counsel, ensuring timely follow-up on sensitive matters and compliance obligations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate from an ABA‑approved program
• 3 years of paralegal experience in real estate, landlord‑tenant law, housing law, legal services, or property management
• Knowledge of New York State landlord‑tenant law and New York City court procedures
• Familiarity with homeless outreach or affordable housing environments preferred
• Strong proficiency with common business software, including document management systems and databases
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to coordinate across the organization
• Strong organizational and time management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Attention to detail and ability to retain complex information
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Serve as an initial point of contact for vendor contracts related to buildings and programs
• Review contracts to flag key provisions such as insurance, termination clauses, and penalties
• Liaise with internal staff and outside counsel
• Organize and maintain electronic document storage per protocols
• Track contract terms, obligations, deadlines, and renewals in databases
• Document, monitor, and resolve vendor contract issues with senior staff
• Assist with insurance claims tracking, timelines, and reporting
• Support risk inspections by scheduling site visits and documenting follow ups
• Assist with management of legal matters and discovery obligations
• Provide legal and operational research and support planning for new initiatives
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Skills

Paralegal experience

Written and verbal communication

Organizational and time management

General computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate

Tools

Document management systems

Job description

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with wraparound services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Legal Affairs, the Paralegal, Legal Affairs manages and tracks legal workstreams; prepares reports; and assists with regulatory compliance, planning initiatives, and policy development. This role requires working knowledge of New York State landlord–tenant law and New York City court procedures. The Paralegal serves as an on-the-ground resource for the Legal Affairs team, supporting time sensitive and in person tasks that cannot be completed remotely. The Paralegal reviews and manages legal documents, independently follows up on assigned matters, and maintains accurate records to support departmental reporting and compliance obligations. They develop and maintain strong internal and external partnerships across departments and agencies. This position works onsite, five days a week.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as an initial point of contact for vendor contracts related to buildings, programs, and support departments, including verifying accuracy of entity names, addresses, and related details
• Review vendor contracts to flag key provisions for inclusion or removal, including insurance requirements, termination clauses, and early termination penalties
• Liaise with internal building staff, Legal Affairs staff, and outside landlord tenant counsel
• Organize and maintain electronic document storage systems in accordance with departmental protocols
• Track contract terms, obligations, deadlines, and renewal requirements in designated databases and tracking tools
• Partner with senior staff to document, monitor, and resolve vendor contract issues
• Assist with follow up on insurance claims, including tracking claim related tasks, correspondence, and timelines, and preparing reports as needed
• Support risk inspections by scheduling site visits, tracking recommendations, and documenting follow up actions
• Assist with management of legal matters, including notifying appropriate stakeholders of newly filed lawsuits, supporting responses to subpoenas, document requests, and discovery obligations
• Provide legal and operational research assistance, including investigating potential new service locations; reviewing policies and procedures for regulatory compliance; and supporting planning for new initiatives
• Perform additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate from an accredited ABA‑approved program required
• 3 years of paralegal experience in real estate, landlord‑tenant law, housing law, legal services, property management required
• Knowledge of New York State landlord‑tenant law and New York City court procedures required
• Familiarity with homeless outreach, safe havens, supportive or affordable housing, or similar social services environments preferred
• Strong proficiency with computers and common business software, including document management systems and databases Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to coordinate and communicate effectively across all levels of the organization
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow up independently
• Attention to detail and ability to review, understand, and retain complex information
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders