Fall 2027 Right to Counsel Staff Attorneys/Law Graduates

The posting, as Legal Services NYC wrote it

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer.

Legal Services NYC Seeks Fall 2027 Right to Counsel Housing Staff Attorneys and Law Graduates

Do you want to start your career in the courtroom? Are you excited to engage in motion practice, conduct oral advocacy, and handle trials from the beginning of your career? Do you want to use your legal degree to push forward social justice and help every day New Yorkers protect their homes & communities?

Legal Services NYC seeks law graduates and/or staff attorneys to join our Fall 2027 class of Right to Counsel (RTC) attorneys as we continue to implement New York City’s groundbreaking Right to Counsel law. The attorneys in our dynamic, high-impact housing unit are engaged in cutting edge litigation, in court, every single day, helping build tenant power and prevent evictions for tens of thousands of New Yorkers every year.

THE OPPORTUNITY

New York City’s Right to Counsel law, passed in 2017 after a successful tenant-led campaign by tenant organizers, advocacy groups and legal services organizations, is the first law in the nation to provide income-eligible tenants who are sued for eviction in housing court with the right to an attorney to defend their case.

LSNYC's housing practice helps realize this promise of this law and represents low-income tenants defending their homes and seeking to enforce the numerous tenant protections they are rightfully entitled to. Our litigators defend tenants in many different settings, including in eviction proceedings in housing court, representing tenants in administrative hearings, bringing affirmative litigation in state and federal court, and handling appeals at all levels.

The work of RTC Housing Unit attorneys will involve developing expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits. The attorneys will be expected to perform community outreach and provide legal information, advice, and counsel
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vocates to engage with a wide-variety of housing litigation. The office is located conveniently across the street from Queens Housing Court, near the E, J, Z, and F trains, as well as the Long Island Railroad.

Manhattan Legal Services ’ housing unit represents tenants in the geographically smallest, but most densely populated borough of New York City. Manhattan’s housing team is close and collaborative, representing long-term tenants in iconic New York City neighborhoods like Harlem and Chinatown. The main Manhattan office is in Harlem, near the historic Apollo Theatre, Adam Clayton Powell Plaza, and the A, C, 2,3, and 4,5,6 subways, as well as many bus lines. Manhattan also has a downtown office near Housing Court and the 1, 2, 3, and A, C, E subway lines.

Brooklyn Legal Services ’ housing unit represents tenants in the most populous borough of New York City. Over the past few decades, Brooklyn has experienced rapid gentrification, and our housing advocates have been at the forefront of protecting Brooklyn communities. Housing Court in Brooklyn continues to be one of the most contentious and litigation heavy courthouses in the City. The downtown Brooklyn office, situated in a bustling commercial area with access to every subway line and several bus routes, fosters a strong sense of community that enhances our commitment to defending and advancing tenants' rights and preserving Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.
All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.