JOB DESCRIPTION
P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. (People Against Landlord Abuse & Tenant Exploitation) is seeking highly motived and dynamic Staff Attorneys – depending on experience – to join its Legal Department. The attorney will primarily represent tenants in upper Manhattan and the Bronx, fighting to enforce tenants’ housing rights in Housing Court, Supreme Court, and administrative agencies.
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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide legal representation and advocacy to clients with housing issues.
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• Provide housing court litigation inclusive of Housing and Supreme Court trials, administrative hearings, appeals and any other matters related to the preservation of affordable housing
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• Engage in non- and pre-litigation advocacy with opposing counsel, property owners, and managing agents.
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• Handle a full caseload of full representation non-payment and holdover proceedings in Housing Court, which involves frequent motion practice, discovery, and depositions.
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• Handle litigation before administrative agencies as necessary, including NYCHA termination of tenancy proceedings, DHCR matters, and proceedings where clients’ Section 8 vouchers are being terminated.
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• Assess tenants’ legal issues during weekly legal clinics, evaluate matters for potential representation, and provide legal advice.
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• Conduct legal research; draft and file court pleadings; engage in motion practice, including motions for contempt when appropriate; negotiate and draft stipulations of settlement and follow through to ensure enforcement and compliance.
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• Participate in and/or lead periodic tenant association evening meetings when representing a group of tenants.
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• Update case management system, maintain and update files and case notes, and assist in grant reporting when needed.
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• Present “know your rights” trainings for tenants.
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• Compile and analyze programmatic statistical information for program reports.
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• Participate in community-based outreach initiatives on housing issues.
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EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Admission to New York Bar
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant housing and court experience (preferred)
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• Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish fluently is required.
• Litigation experience
A deep commitment to advocating and litigating on behalf of working-class, lower-income, and marginalized communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and social justice.
• Excellent legal writing, research, litigation, and advocacy skills
• A proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people, offices, agencies, and organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively and interact with clients, program staff, and management.
• Knowledge of government benefits and other civil legal issues a plus
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COMPENSATION
P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. offers a generous benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid sick/personal days, vacation time with rollover days, retirement account, etc. The salary range for these positions is $75,000 - $125,000.
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TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter, one writing sample, salary requirements, and resume via e-mail to Elsia Vasquez, Executive Director, at elsia.vasquez@palanteharlem.org. All attachments should be in MS Word or PDF form. Please note “Housing Attorney Applicant – Your Name” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled in person on a rolling basis.
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P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. is an equal employment opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender non-conforming people, survivors of violence, people with disabilities and individuals of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. P.A.’L.A.N.T.E. does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, height, weight, national origin, disability, or citizen, marital, veteran, or HIV status.
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