Staff Attorney - Housing

Posted: March 2024

To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to Chandler Jones, HR Manager: cjones@elderjusticeny.org

Location: Center for Elder Law & Justice - 438 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 - About Us

Department: Elder Abuse

Salary Range: Salary Range – 60k – 90k *Beginning April 2024 – 65k – 100k Salary is based on experience and alignment with steps in union scale.

Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ) is looking for a Housing Attorney and will consider part time or full time, flexible hours, and remote work options!! Candidates do not need to live in the Buffalo area.

CELJ is a civil legal services organization fighting for justice, primarily for low-income older adults, in 10 counties in Western New York. Our attorneys stop illegal evictions, save clients homes from foreclosure, put a stop to elder domestic violence, fight for public benefits, work with our local immigrant & refugee populations, and represent grandparents and other kinship care relatives in custody and neglect petitions in family court. We also advocate for systems-wide policy changes, commenting frequently on changes to regulations and working with local elected leaders on legislation that will impact the poor and vulnerable older adults in our area. We believe that independence and dignity are the hallmarks of justice.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Supervising Attorney, the Housing Attorney will be responsible for assisting their department to ensure that the firm represents clients in a holistic manner to achieve clients’ goals through aggressive advocacy, including litigation. The Housing Attorney will work closely with the paralegals and support staff to develop and implement the firm’s mission and goals. The ideal candidate will be a skillful attorney who can excel in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, where engaging with clients daily is a necessity. The attorney in this role will be working on both foreclosure prevention and eviction cases.

CELJ’s Foreclosure Prevention Project (FPP) helps homeowners who are in danger of losing their home due to mortgage foreclosure. Attorneys and paralegals in this unit can assist clients with understanding their options, responding to legal documents, and providing representation in court.

REPORTS TO: Supervising Attorney

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Manage caseload of housing, landlord/tenant cases

  • Weekly court appearances including trials, pretrial conferences, reviews

  • Draft court documents such as petitions, orders, stipulated agreements, motions, affidavits, and subpoenas

  • Maintain ongoing relationship with other attorneys designated to respective cases

  • Represent the civil practice and legal aid in the community

  • Promote the work of the office and civil practice

  • Negotiate with lenders on behalf of homeowners

  • Maintain timely and consistent client contact

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

  • Juris Doctor (JD) Degree

  • Admitted to practice law in the State of NY

  • 0-5 years of experience

  • Court experience preferred

  • Must enjoy a fast-paced environment

  • Able to handle multiple tasks

  • Ability to work independently as well as within a group

  • Communication and interpersonal skills required

  • Able to identify and evaluate legal issues

  • Commitment to communities we serve 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Strong written and oral communication skills

  • Analytical abilities and problem-solving skills

CELJ offers a competitive benefits and compensation package, including:

  • Generous vacation and sick time

  • Employer covered health, dental & vision

  • Fourteen holidays a year, plus two half-day holidays

  • Summer hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day

  • Payment of license fees and association dues

  • Encouragement of professional development

  • Eligible for Federal Loan Forgiveness