Deputy Director, Universal Access to Counsel

Bronx Legal Services seeks experienced housing attorney(s) to join the Universal Access to Counsel (UAC) management team for our eviction prevention and housing practice as a Deputy Director.

Our Organization:

Bronx Legal Services is the largest provider of free civil legal services in the borough and is part of Legal Services NYC’s network of local programs throughout New York City. Bronx Legal Services’ mission is to advance society’s promise to the most vulnerable members that they are entitled to equal access to our legal system.

Bronx Legal Services’ Housing Unit represents low-income Bronx residents in Bronx Housing Court, administrative proceedings, and in affirmative cases challenging agencies and actors who threaten Bronx residents’ ability to obtain and retain affordable housing. It also collaborates with local community-based organizations to provide housing rights trainings to other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups. The UAC subunit focuses specifically on implementing New York City's groundbreaking Right to Counsel law.

The Deputy Director will work closely with the Director and the other Deputies to shape the direction and manage the administrative and programmatic operations of the Housing Unit; will help manage and report on the practice’s grant responsibilities; will supervise the practice of a group of housing staff attorneys and supervisors; will work to develop and strengthen relationships with partner community organizations; and will work to identify systemic housing-related trends that could be affected by strategic litigation.

Our offices are currently working on a hybrid model of in-person and remote work. Staff are expected to be in-person approximately half the days.

The successful candidates should have: 

• Five or more years of housing litigation experience;
• Demonstrated expertise in local, state and federal housing law and policy, housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits;
• Excellent legal writing, litigation and advocacy skills; and
• Strong interpersonal, teaching/training and organizational skills;

Prior supervisory experience, experience working with community-based organizations, and proficiency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the communities we serve is strongly preferred.

How to Apply

To apply for the position, submit a cover letter, resume, names of three references, and two recent writing samples below. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls.

Bronx Legal Services is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, and transgender people are all welcome and encouraged to apply.