CLS, Housing Unit - Staff Attorney

Program Overview:

CAMBA Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) is the legal services arm of CAMBA, Inc. CLS provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers in the areas of consumer law, foreclosure prevention, immigration, housing law, and domestic violence assistance. In addition to providing direct representation and providing legal advice and counsel to thousands of clients, CAMBA attorneys also engage in legislative advocacy, impact litigation in both state and federal court, provide community education and offer expert training on a wide range of issues, services that allow members of our community improve their lives.

Position Overview:

What The Staff Attorney Does:

The person filling this position is expected, under the direction of the General Counsel, to provide legal assistance to clients of CAMBA Legal Services, including the following:

• Represent clients in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
• Conduct client intake and assessment of client cases.
• Provide advice and counsel in Housing Law litigation.
• Interview clients and witnesses, as appropriate, in preparation for litigation and/or court proceedings.
• Prepare legal documents, conduct legal research, negotiate settlements, etc. and housing proceedings.
• Advise clients of their rights, laws, rulings, and regulations applicable to their case.
• Gather evidence to formulate defense or to institute legal action on clients’ behalf.
• Develop legal strategies, arguments, and testimonies in preparation for presentation of cases for trials, hearings, and oral arguments.
• File motions, briefs, pleadings, legal memos, and appeals with court clerk.
• Research and interpret laws, rulings, and regulations as they relate to clients' cases.
• Coordinate follow up advocacy with lenders, agencies providing financial assistance, etc.
• Ensure paralegals conduct proper follow-up with all aspects of cases (i.e. – proper filing and service of court documents, follow-up with administrative and social agencies).
• Coordinate with other attorneys to ensure case/ intake coverage.
• Provide legal seminars and workshops for various organizations.
• Attend appropriate trainings.
• Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual report.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive client files including up to date case note documentation.
• Participate in and coordinate with other legal units at CAMBA, Legal Services such as foreclosure, consumer and immigration.
• Record all court dates in the shared court calendar.
• Represent clients in Housing Court and administrative hearings before the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the New York City Housing Authority (Section 8), Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), etc.
• May assist with billing of cases, including the completion of billable hour forms and corresponding affidavits.
• May assist new attorneys in their housing court cases.
• May research and analyze law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, legal codes, etc.
• May conduct outreach.
• May deliver or direct delivery of subpoenas to witnesses and parties to action.
• May follow up with clients and other organizations regarding client progress toward legal goals.
• May recommend and implement strategies to persuade clients to participate fully in their own legal process.
• May advocate on behalf of clients when applications are denied i.e.-prepare advocacy letters, etc.
• Tasks may be modified, expanded and/or assigned over a period of time.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) Licensed to practice law in NY State

Other Requirements:

•  Must be in good standing with NY State Bar
• Knowledge of, and experience in, foreclosure and housing law preferred
• Ability to analyze complex rent/mortgage breakdowns to determine proper amount of rent owed
• Ability to converse with clients in a language other than English preferred (Haitian/Creole, French, Spanish, Russian, etc.)

Salary : $84,000 - $134,254