Staff Attorney Trust and Estates
Subject to continued funding, the Civil Practice is seeking an attorney to join its Foreclosure Prevention Unit to represent homeowners and/or heirs primarily with estate matters, including estate planning and probate and administrative proceedings with the goal of preserving the family home, protecting intergenerational wealth and prevent the loss of home. Although based in the Bronx Neighborhood Office, the attorney will represent clients in both the Bronx and Queens.
The Foreclosure Prevention Unit provides representation and assistance to homeowners to prevent foreclosures and challenge abusive lending and real estate practices. The Unit partners with city-and statewide advocates on policy advocacy and law reform issues and conducts community outreach and education.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org .
As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth; one’s gender identity may be male, female, neither or both, e.g., non-binary), gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not be distinctively male or female and may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Represent clients in surrogate courts as well as state and federal courts
- Provide limited representations for clients at settlement conferences and advocates with lenders to obtain loss mitigation
- Analyze legal issues and develop legal strategies
- Advocate with local, state and federal agencies on behalf of clients
- Advocate for legislative reforms and policy changes
- Assist with pro bono initiatives and work with pro bono partners
- Train and supervise interns, externs and volunteers
- Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and the courts
- Develop community education materials and conduct community education, training and outreach
- Coordinate and collaborate with other groups and organizations
- Represent the Civil Practice and The Legal Aid Society in the community
- Complete administrative tasks as assigned by supervisor, such as those related to grant reporting
- Other duties as assigned
Required Documents
Please submit the following documents as a single pdf through our online portal: Cover letter, Resume, and Writing Sample
Deadline: Open Until Filled
Location
Bronx - Civil Practice Neighborhood Office
Requirements
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
- New York State Bar admission or ready for NYS Bar admission
- Experience in dealing with estate matters highly desirable
- Familiarity with foreclosure, lending and consumer issues preferred
- Litigation skills and experience preferred
- Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
- Ability to work independently as well as a part of the team and manage a high volume of cases
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and civil legal services
- Ability to coordinate and collaborate successfully with other groups and organizations
- Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if, an offer is made.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.
COVID VACCINATION INFORMATION
The Legal Aid Society is taking precautions and implementing safety measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to comply with New York City's requirements concerning Covid-19. All members of the Legal Aid community have a shared responsibility to support and comply with policies and protocols to protect the health and safety of our community. Learn more about our COVID-19 policy by visiting our website.