Supervising Attorney, Elder Law Unit & Universal Access; Bronx - Bronx, NY

The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice is seeking an experienced and talented lawyer with a deep commitment to public interest practice and policy to join a dedicated Housing team as the Supervising Attorney of the Elder Law Unit-Bronx. The ideal candidate will also have a passion for representing the most vulnerable clients and in multidisciplinary collaboration ensuring the seniors we represent not only preserve their tenancies but continue to live in the community healthy and safely long after their eviction case has ended.

The Legal Aid Society has a long history of providing eviction defense services to seniors. The Elder Law Unit (ELU) is a city-wide unit with teams in both the Bronx and Brooklyn. The ELU is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team, including attorneys, social workers and paralegal case handlers, specializing in eviction defense for seniors. The ELU recognizes that the preservation of housing for a senior often involves many intersecting medical, financial and social issues.

The ELU seeks to assess and address the needs of our senior clients to not only prevent their eviction but to alleviate the underlying causes that lead them to be at risk of eviction.

The Supervising Attorney, with the Director of Elder Law, will be responsible for the smooth and effective daily operations of the Elder Law Unit in the Bronx Office. The Supervising Attorney will also coordinate, mentor, and supervise staff, provide leadership, prioritize legal issues and support collaboration between attorneys and the unit's non- attorney staff. The Supervising Attorney participates in the housing practice of the assigned borough office as well as practice-wide management discussions and decision-making and is responsible for maintaining relationships with other stakeholders in the legal, court, and service communities.

The Supervising Attorney also participated with the Director of Elder Law in legislative advocacy including testifying before City Council.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Elder Law Supervision Duties

• Supervise, mentor, and train staff attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers/interns
• Monitor and maintain a high standard of representation and client service
• Analyze legal issues, develop legal strategy, and supervise the implementation of legal strategies with focus on seniors with physical and/or mental health disabilities, and/or cognitive decline
• Develop and maintain understanding of ethical rules as it pertains to representing clients with diminished capacity
• Foster and encourage positive environment for collaboration and communication between attorneys and non attorney team members
• Reinforce and maintain staff accountability
• Conduct management and supervision practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplace
• Coordinate intake and conduct off-site intake as needed, including based on client needs such as being homebound
• Collaborate and work closely with the Borough AIC, Director of Elder Law, Housing Coordinators and the grants management team on all aspects of citywide elder law housing practice.
• Identify needs and resources for the Bronx Neighborhood Office and participate in management team responsibilities to meet those needs
• Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and the courts
• Represent the Civil Practice and Legal Aid Society in the community
• Engage in policy advocacy including drafting and presenting testimony before City Council
• Conduct community education, training, and outreach and promote the work of the office, the Elder Law Unit Practice, and the Civil Practice
• Respond to client, community and staff concerns
• Continuously learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate affirmative behaviors that support an inclusive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Admission to the New York State Bar and a willingness to apply for admission to the federal courts (S.D.N.Y., E.D.N.Y., Second Circuit) as it may become necessary
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law and civil legal services
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including but not limited to seniors

Preferred qualifications:

• Minimum of three years of legal practice preferred
• Minimum of one year of supervisory and management experience preferred or relevant experience such as leadership positions in a membership organization
• Experience conducting trainings preferred
• Grant-writing and fundraising experience preferred
• Pro bono, government, public service, and academic experience will be considered, but is not required
• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Position Based…