Supervising Attorney: Justice

Take Root Justice seeks applicants for the position of Supervising Attorney on our Housing Justice team.

We are a diverse team of 15 attorneys and advocates working with community organizers, tenant associations, and coalitions across New York City to help tenants fight harassment, obtain repairs, and resist the pressures of gentrification and displacement.

We are committed to our mission of dismantling racial, economic, and social oppression. Our legal strategies typically center affirmative litigation on behalf of tenant associations (e.g. rent strikes, 7-A and HP proceedings, intervention in bankruptcy and foreclosure cases, and rent overcharge claims). We also defend tenants against eviction and from attacks on their right to organize.

Our non-litigation work includes developing campaign strategies in collaboration with community organizers, training organizers and community leaders on tenants' rights issues, drafting legislation and policy proposals, lobbying elected officials, participating in tenant meetings, and conducting legal clinics.

The Supervising Attorney will work with the Housing Director and the Supervising Paralegal/Advocacy Coordinator to supervise and manage the Housing Justice Team.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Supervision of attorneys, paralegals, volunteers, and interns on the Housing Justice Team, including regular and as-needed one-to-one check-ins and consults, in-person support during court appearances, review of written work, keeping the team abreast of developments in the fields of tenant law and the housing movement, and collecting and developing resource materials
• Supporting and participating in Take Root's legal assistance to community groups and their members, including affirmative litigation behalf of tenant associations (g. HP actions, rent strikes and 7-A proceedings), and individual eviction defense
• Training and mentoring staff to ensure professional development and competency in the work being performed
• Monitoring the performance of work within the practice area to ensure compliance with contract and grant requirements and best outcomes for clients and partner groups.
• Participating in Take Root's management team together with other practice-area managers and the Executive Director
• Providing training to community groups and their members on tenants' rights issues
• Participating in legislative and/or regulatory advocacy with partner organizations
• Coordination of and participation in legal clinics and workshops
• Developing and maintaining, together with staff, relationships with community-based partners throughout New York City

• JD. from an accredited law school and admission to the New York State Bar (or eligibility for reciprocal admission)
• At least five years of relevant experience in housing law and/or provision of direct legal services
• Eagerness to work with a diverse client base on individual and group litigation
• Demonstrated commitment to economic and racial justice and the housing justice movement in New York City
• Professional and/or personal experience working with diverse communities and across lines of difference
• Commitment to working in partnership with community organizers and developing creative lawyering strategies to support tenant organizing
• Excellent writing, research, analytical and communication skills
• Commitment to the supervisor's own growth and learning
• Demonstrated ability to critically examine how power and privilege shape our legal work, our clients' experiences, and our relationships with one another, and experience developing and applying strategies to address those dynamics

• Experience in a supervisory, management or other leadership role
• Subs…