Staff Attorney

Job Description
Housing Conservation Coordinators, Inc. (HCC) is a 47 year old community-based, not-for-profit legal services agency anchored in the Hell's Kitchen/Clinton neighborhood of Manhattan's west side. HCC's programs - legal services, tenant/community organizing and weatherization assistance - advance its mission to promote social and economic justice and fight for the rights of poor, low-income and working individuals and families. Through our services, we seek to promote a vibrant and diverse community with the power to shape its own future. Today we offer a wide range of legal, advocacy, weatherization and community organizing services and reach more than 4,000 residents annually.

Our legal services include representation on housing, immigration, elder law, benefit and consumer debt matters in Housing Court, NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, Immigration Court, and at administrative proceedings. In addition, we offer tenant organizing services to improve living conditions and community organizing services around impact issues. The staff attorneys will work with organizers, individual tenants and groups of tenants to oppose eviction proceedings, obtain necessary repairs, upgrade building services, stop landlord harassment, resolve building-wide complaints and assert the rights of tenants by representing tenants and tenant associations in New York courts and administrative proceedings. The staff attorneys will also disseminate information about tenants' rights, advocate for tenants with landlords and landlord attorneys and advocate for tenants to obtain other social services as necessary. The staff attorneys may periodically teach classes/trainings and conduct workshops related to housing law or other HCC practice areas.

Work hours are flexible but often require morning court appearances and early evening meetings. Salary and benefits pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate would be a member of the New York State Bar or has passed July 2019 NYS Bar Exam and is preparing for admission with at least one year of relevant experience (including clinics, internships etc.) in any area of poverty law. Preference will be given to individuals with prior experience in landlord/tenant law. Spanish proficiency and prior experience in immigration or elder law practice are also a plus. Excellent litigation, research, writing, and organizational skills as well as demonstrated commitment to social justice for underserved populations is required.

Application Instructions:
Interested applicants should send their resume and cover letter in a single pdf by email to Richard Semegram, Housing Conservation Coordinators, Inc. at rsemegram@hcc-nyc.org by January 15, 2020. Please insert "Staff Attorney Applicant" in the subject heading field. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis.

HCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, transgender and gender non-conforming people, survivors of violence, people with disabilities and individuals of diverse backgrounds encouraged to apply. HCC 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.

Original post here