Assistant Supervising Attorney

Assistant Supervising Attorney-Housing Unit
Job Description
Organization Overview:

Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. (NLS) is the largest provider of civil legal services in Western New York with a main office in Buffalo and offices in Batavia, Lockport, and Niagara Falls. NLS advocates for thousands of clients each year in many different legal subject areas. NLS’ staff represent clients who are facing eviction, families who have no money for food or rent, survivors and victims of domestic violence, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities. We invite you to join our team and to use your talents and skills to help people and change systems.

JOB SUMMARY:

NLS is seeking an experienced attorney with a passion for innovation, litigation experience, and a commitment to increasing access to legal services for low-income Western New Yorkers to join its dedicated team of managers, staff attorneys, paralegals, and support staff as an Assistant Supervising Attorney of the Housing Unit.

The Assistant Supervising Attorney will be responsible for assisting with the direct supervision of Housing Unit staff. Direct supervision will include substantive supervision of staff caseloads, regular case reviews, and ensuring compliance with office-wide policies and Legal Services Corporation regulations. The responsibilities will also include maintaining a litigation and eviction defense caseload, and the supervision of the representation of individuals facing eviction and related housing issues. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with the Supervising Attorney of the Housing Unit to shape the direction of the Unit, to identify systemic housing-related issues and to develop affirmative impact litigation on behalf of tenants with the goal of removing barriers to safe, fair, and affordable housing. The Assistant Supervising Attorney will also work with the Supervising Attorney to handle administrative and grant responsibilities and to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders in the legal, court, and service communities.

Essential Functions:

• Reporting to the Housing Unit’s Supervising Attorney, the Assistant Supervising Attorney will assist with the management of the day-to-day operations of the unit. The successful applicant will be located primarily in Buffalo but will assist with the supervision of attorneys and staff in the Niagara County offices and will be called upon to consult with attorneys across the organization, including our Batavia office, serving Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

• Responsible for the regular review of the work performed, development of necessary training and unit litigation strategies.

• Assist with administrative duties, including developing and implementing policies and procedures for the Unit, assuring that these policies and procedures are integrated with and conform to those of the organization.
• Ensure that staff maintain case and client records as required in our computerized case management program.

• Develop and implement a community outreach and education plan to reach NLS’ service area.

• Review applications for service and make eligibility determinations in accordance with grant and funding requirements and assist with work assignments.

• Work closely with members of NLS’ management team, including finance, grants compliance, and HR staff in ensuring compliance with the organization’s fiscal and personnel policies and procedures.

• Develop relationships and engage in collaborations with a range of public and private community partners, including governmental agencies, courts, and community-based organizations, to ensure integrative services and address systemic barriers facing our client community.

• Committed to leading by example, high professional integrity, and maintaining civility in all interactions with staff, legal opponents, and community-at-large, and capable of addressing client and staff concerns in an empathetic and confident manner.