Staff Attorney - Eviction Prevention​/Foreclosure

The Ithaca office of LawNY® seeks to fill an immediate opening for a full-time Staff Attorney in its Eviction Prevention/Foreclosure Unit. The Staff Attorney will provide direct legal representation, primarily in eviction defense and foreclosure cases in Tompkins and Tioga Counties. The candidate must have the caring, patience, and emotional maturity to help people with low incomes overcome crisis situations.

Staff Attorneys at LawNY® provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients, and the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of how civil legal issues affecting low-income communities intersect with social and economic justice.

• Admitted to practice and in good standing in New York State.
• Valid Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle for transportation to and from court appearances, outreach event locations, and client meetings.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving people with low incomes.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

The beginning salary for a Staff Attorney at LawNY® with no experience is $75,000 and the salary for a Staff Attorney with thirty years of experience is $111,100. Salary will be based on experience. LawNY® is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

LawNY® provides an excellent package of fringe benefits including:

• 94% Employer-paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer-paid in-network deductible
• 100% Employer-paid Dental Insurance
• 100% Employer-paid Life Insurance
• 100% Employer-paid Enhanced Short-Term Disability
• 100% Employer-paid Long-Term Disability
• Vision Insurance
• 20 Paid Vacation Days per Year
• 12 Sick Days per Year
• 5 Personal Days per Year
• 13.5 Holidays plus 2 Floating Holidays per Year
• 35-Hour Work Week
• Hybrid Work Schedule (new staff are able to work from home up to 3 days per week. After 6 months, this increases to 5 days per week with Manager approval, as workload permits)

These are the most significant responsibilities and primary functions of the position.

• Maintain a full-time caseload representing eligible clients served by our Eviction Prevention and Foreclosure Unit.
• Develop and maintain specialized knowledge in housing matters, particularly landlord-tenant law, foreclosure prevention, subsidized housing, and government benefits.
• Provide legal services to low-income clients and client groups regarding these matters, including advice, negotiation, litigation, foreclosure defense, loss mitigation advocacy, and administrative representation.
• Provide legal representation to homeowners facing foreclosure, including conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, motions, and other court filings, negotiating loan modifications and loss mitigation options, and appearing in state and federal courts, mandatory settlement conferences, and related proceedings to protect clients’ interests and preserve home ownership whenever possible.
• Collaborate with local courts, housing agencies, mortgage servicers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to prevent avoidable foreclosures, expand access to foreclosure prevention resources, and promote housing stability for homeowners at risk of losing their homes.
• Conduct community outreach, education, and engagement activities designed to identify homeowners facing foreclosure, increase awareness of available legal services, and connect vulnerable households with resources that help preserve home ownership.
• Interact respectfully with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, with an awareness of the importance of cultural competence and humility.
• Collaborate with other LawNY® advocates, human services providers, nonprofit organizations, community groups, the courts, administrative tribunals, and the private bar to address legal problems within our community, including providing community legal education.
• Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment for fellow employees.
• Cooperate in all grant reporting requirements, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing, and compliance review.
• Maintain a high level of professional competence through attendance at training sessions, seminars, and conferences and…