Tenant Defense Attorney

Office of the Appellate Defender; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 81,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Appellate Defender in Syracuse, NY, invites applications for an attorney to join the Tenant Defense Project within our Civil Program. The role focuses on representing tenants facing eviction and housing issues, with opportunities to advise, counsel, and engage in outreach on tenants’ rights.

Qualified applicants must be admitted to the New York Bar (or eligible for pro hac vice). Strong written and oral advocacy, independence, and collaborative spirit are essential, as is a

Qualifications

• Admission or pending admission to the New York Bar, or eligibility for pro hac vice.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to helping people in need.
• Diverse experiences welcomed and valued.

Responsibilities

• Represent tenants in eviction proceedings in Syracuse.
• Provide advice and counsel on housing issues.
• Engage in outreach and community education on tenants' rights.
• Collaborate with a Law Assistant and Client Resource Specialist.

Skills

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Legal research

Independent work

Collaboration

Education

Admission to NY Bar (or pending admission)

Job description

About Hiscock Legal Aid: Hiscock Legal Aid (HLA), founded in 1949, is a non-profit agency located in Syracuse, New York, a mid-sized city with a high quality of life, reasonable cost of living, and access to outdoor recreation, cultural amenities, and major metropolitan areas. Committed to promoting equal justice under the law, HLA is a primary provider of legal services for low-income individuals in Central New York. Learn more about our mission at www.hlalaw.org.

About the Position: HLA seeks an experienced or newly or soon-to-be licensed attorney to join our Tenant Defense Project, part of our Civil Program, and our housing and tenants’ rights practice to represent tenants primarily in the City of Syracuse who are facing eviction or other issues threatening their housing stability. In addition to defending tenants in court against eviction, this attorney will also be expected to provide advice and counsel and other legal services to tenants with housing issues, and to participate in outreach and community education initiatives concerning tenants’ rights. This position presents a unique opportunity to join a collaborative office working to provide high-quality housing legal services to tenants primarily in the City of Syracuse. Our housing attorneys are supported by a dedicated Law Assistant and a Client Resource Specialist, and we frequently host interns interested in housing stability work.

Salary: Base salary of $81,000 to $105,000 annually for all attorneys admitted to New York Bar or who obtain pro hac vice admission, depending on candidate qualifications and experience. Law graduates awaiting admission to the Bar and those who will apply for pro hac vice admission start $10,000 lower and then receive the $10,000 increase upon admission.

Benefits: Excellent fringe benefits include generous paid vacation, sick, personal, and hourly leave totaling more than 30 days per year; numerous paid holidays per year; health, dental, life, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; reduced membership to the YMCA of CNY; $100 monthly parking/transportation stipend; reimbursement for bi-annual attorney registration and other professional fees; and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Work-Life Balance: Enjoy standard office hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and from Memorial Day until Labor Day staff can frequently take advantage of summer hours and leave at 4:00 pm. However, attorneys occasionally need to work outside these hours to fulfill professional obligations.

Hiscock Legal Aid is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply.

Qualifications: Admission or pending admission to New York Bar, or eligibility for pro hac vice admission. Strong written and oral advocacy skills. Commitment to helping people in need. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Diverse economic, social, and/or cultural experiences welcomed and valued. Sense of humor appreciated.