Supervising Attorney

Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of 23,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, TGNCIQ justice, public education, health care access, and immigration reform. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer)

MRNY is a multi-service organization.  Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more."

LEGAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES AT MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK:

The Department of Legal and Support Services at MRNY works to strengthen the organization’s organizing work by (1) helping to envision and implement leverage strategies (including strategic litigation) that help win our organizing campaigns; (2) providing technical legal support for policy work; and (3) providing legal and support services to high-need immigrant communities and help meet the immediate needs of MRNY’s members. The Department currently employs approximately 45 attorneys, advocates and case managers. Our legal team is integrated into all aspects of the organization’s work.

Current Opening:

We are currently hiring a Supervising Attorney to oversee our Housing and Benefits practice. Our team includes four other experienced housing attorneys and one housing and public benefits advocate, and collaborates closely with our organizing team to focus on anti-harassment and prevention of displacement around our neighborhood offices in Bushwick and Jackson Heights. The Supervising Attorney will provide policy and campaign support on the areas of housing and public benefits. The Supervising Attorney will also have a small docket of housing cases, that will be predominantly eviction prevention and HP cases.           

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee the provision of housing-related legal services to MRNY’s membership base of low-income New Yorkers in Brooklyn and Queens.
• Provide exceptional supervision and support to the attorneys and advocate on this team.
• Work closely with MRNY members and organizers to envision and implement strategic affirmative litigation projects and other strategies that strengthen MRNY’s tenant organizing.
• Provide technical legal support for MRNY’s robust housing-related policy and organizing campaigns, including drafting legislation; training other staff and members on the legal aspects of campaigns; writing reports; lobbying visits in support of policy campaigns; drafting materials (for the press, funders, the membership, elected officials, and other advocates) on our key policy campaigns and victories; responding to media inquiries; and representing MRNY at meetings with elected officials and coalition partners. 
• Coordinate community outreach, including tenant association meetings, know-your-rights workshops, and legal clinics.
• Handle a small direct legal services caseload in the area of housing law.
• Assist with grant reporting.
• Participate in the leadership of the Legal Department to advance organizational goals and to develop and maintain strong funding relationships to sustain our housing and benefits work.

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the US
• Admission to practice law in New York State.
• Fluency in the Spanish language.
• At least 4 years of housing litigation experience.
• Ability to supervise, mentor and develop staff.

Job Competencies:

• Interpersonal and organizational skills of the highest caliber.
• Commitment to helping cultivate a high-performing department that utilizes the law creatively in the fight for systemic change.

Preferences:

• Fundraising experience.
• Familiarity with public benefits advocacy.
• Experience working among populations that make up major portions of MRNY’s membership – such as documented and undocumented immigrants, members of TGNCIQ communities, and youth.
• Supervision experience.

Salary and Benefits:

Starting salary is based on a step scale based on years of experience. MRNY offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days, and family leave.

HOW TO APPLY:Please attach cover letter, resume, and writing sample and submit all documents to email provided.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling

MRNY is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse staff. Women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities and people of color strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.