Supervising Attorney, Elder Law Unit & Universal Access; Bronx

Overview

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 have a passion for representing the most vulnerable clients and for multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure seniors preserve their tenancies and continue to live in the community, healthy and safely, long after eviction matters have 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 multidisciplinary team, including attorneys, social workers and paralegal case handlers, specializing in eviction defense for seniors. The ELU recognizes that preserving housing for a senior often involves intersecting medical, financial and social issues.

The ELU seeks to assess and address the needs of our senior clients to prevent eviction and to alleviate underlying causes that lead to eviction risk.

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 focused on seniors with physical and/or mental health disabilities or cognitive decline
• Develop and maintain understanding of ethical rules as it pertains to representing clients with diminished capacity
• Foster and encourage positive collaboration and communication between attorneys and non-attorney team members
• Reinforce and maintain staff accountability
• Conduct management practices that affirmatively support equity and inclusion in the workplace
• Coordinate intake and conduct off-site intake as needed, including for homebound clients
• Collaborate with the Borough AIC, Director of Elder Law, Housing Coordinators and the grants management team on citywide elder law housing practice
• Identify needs and resources for the Bronx Neighborhood Office and participate in management responsibilities to meet those needs
• Develop and maintain community 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 Elder Law Unit Practice and the Civil Practice
• Respond to client, community and staff concerns
• Continually learn about forms of bias in the workplace and demonstrate inclusive behaviors
• Other duties as assigned

Required qualifications:

• Admission to the New York State Bar and willingness to apply for admission to the federal courts as needed (S.D.N.Y., E.D.N.Y., Second Circuit)
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law and civil legal services
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including seniors

Preferred qualifications:

• Minimum of three years of legal practice
• Minimum of one year of supervisory and management experience or relevant leadership experience
• Experience conducting trainings
• Grant-writing and fundraising experience
• Pro bono, government, public service, and academic experience considered
• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable

Position Based Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of housing and benefits law with a focus on seniors
• Excellent litigation skills and experience in various forums
• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative team model
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Commitment to exploring alternative approaches for legal practice
• Commitment to addressing poverty and justice within a comprehensive civil legal services model

Supervision Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

:

• Ability to schedule, assign, and manage work
• Ability to create and implement effective…