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 everyday 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, both in clinical and informal settings. The attorneys will also be expected to perform trainings for other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups. We are looking for candidates who are excited to work in a fast-paced environment and to use creative strategies in the pursuit of justice.

The anticipated start date of this position will be September 2027.

Salary and Compensation

Salary is pursuant to our collective bargaining agreement. Salary Range for a position starting in September 2027 (based on years’ experience):

• 0-10 years: $88,181 – $113,737 
• 11-20 years: $116,338 – $137,347
• 21+ years: $143,685 – $169,852

NOTE: This salary range reflects the collective bargaining agreement entered into in 2024. Salaries are expected to increase effectiveJuly 1, 2027 once the new contract, to be negotiated, becomes finalized.

LSNYC’s Expansive Benefits Package includes: exceptional healthcare with low copays (for which employees pay only 1% of their salaries per year), comprehensive dental insurance, a vision plan, generous vacation days (23 days the first year; 28 days/year thereafter) that people routinely use, plus 14 paid holidays and 18 sick days/year. We provide industry-leading parental leave (on average six months) as well as coverage for fertility treatment. Employees with student loan debt also have access to our internal Loan Repayment Assistance Program.

All non-managerial staff, including those hired in this position, are part of one union.

The position is hybrid permitting 50% remote work, job duties permitting.

Responsibilities

• Conducting intake and providing full legal representation in housing court proceedings to New York City tenants referred to LSNYC through the Right to Counsel initiative in NYC housing courts, and through other referral sources.
• Litigating cases in housing court, administrative forums, appellate courts, and other state and federal courts on behalf of people facing eviction, and in affirmative cases challenging agencies and actors who threaten New York City residents' ability to obtain and retain affordable housing.
• Developing expertise in housing court practice, housing programs and subsidies, and public benefits.
• Providing legal advice and counseling to tenants as needed.
• Conducting neighborhood-based legal clinics and know-your-rights workshops.
• Identifying trends and recurring issues for potential impact litigation.
• Providing trainings to other advocates, tenant associations, community members, and community groups.

Qualifications

• A J.D. from an accredited law school and admission (or seeking admission) to practice law in the State of New York.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and conduct community outreach in low-income neighborhoods.
• Excellent advocacy, analytic, writing, and leadership skills.
• Strong time management and organization skills including the ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced caseload generated by a Right to Counsel civil defender practice where clients may have a legal entitlement to representation.
• Experience in housing, landlord/tenant, or related advocacy, preferred.
• Fluency or proficiency in either Spanish or a language other than English that is frequently used by our clients is preferred.

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Please, no telephone calls.

Inclusion Statement

We know that strong candidates do not always meet every listed qualification. The qualifications above are intended to describe the skills and experience that would help someone succeed in this role, not a checklist that every applicant must satisfy. If you are excited about this work and believe your background has prepared you to do it, we encourage you to apply. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and people who have lived in the communities we serve. All applications will be reviewed using the same job-related criteria

ABOUT US

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 60 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 700 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.

At LSNYC, we embrace equity and challenge injustice, internally and externally, in partnership with clients, low-income communities, and other allies. Our goal is to foster belonging and promote an inclusive environment in which all employees are able to: perform at their best; feel valued, respected, and motivated; share views and ideas for continuous improvement; access professional development, leadership, and learning opportunities; and work collaboratively to cultivate a supportive, client-centered environment and culture.

ABOUT OUR BOROUGH OFFICES

Bronx Legal Services’ housing unit is the largest housing unit at LSNYC, and serves the community with the highest need. The Bronx has the highest share of rent regulated and affordable units in NYC, and our office strives to preserve the affordable housing stock, allowing Bronx residents to stay in their homes. The office creates community across its teams, frequently holding picnics, potlucks, and happy hours. The office is conveniently located in the South Bronx, just 2-3 subway stops from Manhattan, near the 2 and 5 subway lines and several bus lines, making it easy to access from all over the City and surrounding areas.

Staten Island Legal Services’ housing unit delivers an outsized impact for the historically underserved communities of low-income tenants in Staten Island. As a small, tight-knit team, the Staten Island housing unit is able to tailor its work to the emerging needs of Staten Island communities, as well as the evolving needs of its staff. The housing stock in Staten Island consists of public housing, regulated housing, and single-family homes, leading to a multifaceted housing practice. The office is located conveniently near St. George’s transportation hub and the Staten Island ferry.

Queens Legal Services’ housing unit consists of a friendly, cooperative, team serving one of the most diverse communities in the world. This diversity is reflected in the exceptional food and culture available throughout the borough, where more than 50% of the population is bilingual. The housing stock in Queens is also diverse, including multi-family dwellings as well as single-family homes allowing Queens advocates 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.