Temporary Staff Attorney, Foreclosure

Office of the Appellate Defender; New York (NY); On-site; USD 86,520 - 157,075; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Appellate Defender is seeking a Temporary Staff Attorney for a one-year term in New York. This position involves representing homeowners in foreclosure actions, advocating for legislative reforms, and conducting community outreach.

Ideal candidates must possess a Juris Doctor, active or pending New York State Bar admission, and have a commitment to public interest law. The salary range for this position is $86,520 - $157,075, commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience or equivalent education and experience.
• Preferred experience working with homeowners for equity preservation.
• Demonstrated skills in advocacy and public interest law.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in court for foreclosure and civil rights issues.
• Conduct community outreach and provide education on housing advocacy.
• Participate in legislative reforms and policy advocacy.

Skills

Excellent written and oral advocacy skills

Commitment to public interest law

Experience with homeowners

Ability to work collaboratively

Knowledge of economic justice

Education

Juris Doctor

New York State Bar admission or awaiting

Job description

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice has a Temporary Staff Attorney position for a one-year term available in the Bronx Neighborhood Office’s (BxNO) Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit. The Temporary Staff Attorney represents homeowners defensively in foreclosure and related actions and in affirmative litigation addressing lending, real estate, and trust and estate abuses with the goal of preventing the loss of home, the loss of equity, and homelessness.

Following the conclusion of this one-year assignment, the Temporary Staff Attorney will be eligible to apply for other available Staff Attorney positions or will be reassigned to an available Staff Attorney position within the Civil Practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent clients in state and federal court proceedings, affirmatively and defensively, regarding foreclosure, civil rights, consumer protection, estates administration, quiet title, and partition actions
• Represent clients at settlement conferences and other advocacy with lenders to obtain loss mitigation or other home-preserving solutions
• Conduct client intake (including offsite and in-person and occasionally in the evenings/weekends)
• Train, conduct community outreach, and provide education for individuals, local community-based organizations, and housing advocates
• Advocate with local, state and federal agencies on behalf of clients
• Play an active role in coalition meetings and advocacy and collaborate with other groups and organizations which will require occasional travel in NYS, approximately 3-4 times annually, for key meetings, events, and other business-related activities.
• Flexibility in travel schedules is expected
• Advocate for legislative reforms and policy changes including continued funding for HOPP
• Work with pro bono lawyers and partner organizations
• Represent the Civil Practice and LAS in the community
• Promote the work of the office, the Foreclosure Prevention and Homeownership Preservation Unit and the Civil Practice
• Complete administrative tasks as assigned by supervisor, such as those related to grant reporting
• Participate in continuous professional development
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor and 3 years of required experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• New York State Bar admission or awaiting NYS Bar admission after sitting for the NYS Bar exam
• At least three years working with homeowners to preserve their homes and/or protect their equity preferred
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil legal services
• A passion for economic justice

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $86,520 - $157,075