Offer summary

Qualifications:

Admission to the New York State Bar or eligibility for pro hac vice status., At least one year of legal experience, including litigation and handling high-volume caseloads., Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to work under stress., Preferred bilingual in English and Spanish, with a commitment to serving low-income individuals..

Key responsibilities:

Handle individual housing cases, including eviction and habitability issues.

Represent clients in city courts, justice courts, and appellate practice.

Conduct education and outreach to community members, advocates, and service providers.

Participate in occasional night court appearances related to housing matters.

Job description

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

http://www.lshv.org

Job Type: Staff Attorney – Peekskill, NY
Schedule Type: Full-Time

About Us

For more than 50 years, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) has been providing free, high-quality legal counsel in civil matters when basic human needs are at stake including: eviction and foreclosure prevention, domestic violence, disability, elder law, healthcare, consumer fraud and more. Our services support almost 600,000 poor and low-income families and individuals who cannot afford an attorney in our seven-county service area. With the gap separating those who can and cannot afford legal representation widening each day, we work to ensure that everyone has equal access to justice, regardless of their ability to pay. As the only provider of comprehensive civil legal services in the lower and mid-Hudson Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan), LSHV is proud to have handled over 12,000 cases impacting nearly 30,000 household members including 10,000 children last year. LSHV is made up of ten offices, and a dedicated and highly skilled staff of attorneys, paralegals and administrative professionals.

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley is dedicated to building a highly skilled workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels supported to bring their authentic selves to work. We are committed to promoting equity for all, and we continuously review and strengthen our processes and practices to support our staff, clients and the communities we serve. Respect is a cornerstone of relationships among our staff.

Position Description

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) has an immediate opening in our Peekskill office for a full-time staff attorney to work on housing matters, in Northern Westchester and Putnam County courts. The attorney will also serve low-income individuals and families with matters including eviction, unlawful lock-outs, habitability issues and succession rights challenges. As many of our clients have protected housing or have specialized housing vouchers, the work will include section 8 and other hearings on voucher changes or terminations.

Duties of the Position: individual case work, administrative advocacy and litigation in city courts and justice courts, including appellate practice, and education and outreach efforts directed at community members, advocates and service providers. The person hired will also be expected to adhere to program and case handling standards, funder requirements, the highest professional standards, and be available as a resource to LSHV staff and access to justice communities. Occasional appearances in night court pertaining to housing matters, may be required.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar or passed the NY bar and awaiting admission; or out of state admission with eligibility for pro hac vice status; we will consider 2025 law graduates who plan to sit for the NYS Bar Exam
One or more years of legal experience, including litigation and handling high volume caseload;
Excellent people skills;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
Ability to handle high stress situations;
Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders; and
Valid driver’s license and own transportation

Preferred

Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income persons with prior experience in legal services or similar program;
English/Spanish bi-lingual

Salary: $76,997- $130,164, DOE, union scale, with excellent benefits that include medical, dental, vision, life insurance and long-term disability coverages, as well as a defined contribution to 403b, loan repayment assistance and paid parental leave. After a brief probationary period, this position may permit work from home up to two days per week.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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