The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks energetic people with a commitment to social justice to fill a staff attorney opening in its Civil Action Practice.

Since opening our doors in 1997, The Bronx Defenders has served over 300,000 clients in Bronx County. The Bronx Defenders pioneered a model of legal representation called holistic defense, designed to fight both the causes and consequences of court-involvement. Our staff of over 250 lawyers and advocates work on interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal defense, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, all of whom work to provide holistic legal and social service advocacy to our clients. The Bronx Defenders also houses a community organizing and an impact litigation team, serving as a community resource and force for systemic change. We engage with clients, community residents, and policymakers as we seek ways to better serve the Bronx community and enhance access to justice for all. To learn more, please visit our website at www.bronxdefenders.org.

Our Civil Action Practice provides comprehensive legal services to our clients and their families by fully integrating civil representation with our criminal and family defense practices. Our goal is to minimize the severe and often unforeseen fallout from criminal and family court proceedings and facilitate the seamless reintegration of our clients into the community.  The current Civil Action Practice attorneys and legal advocates represent clients in every forum in New York City – administrative, state, and federal – to address these problems.

Our civil staff attorneys and advocates provide comprehensive advocacy to help our clients resolve civil legal problems related to barriers to housing, eviction, employment, public benefits, police misconduct, criminal record errors, and civil forfeiture.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Civil Action Practice seeks a staff attorney to provide comprehensive advocacy and representation to help our clients resolve a broad range of civil legal problems, which include: eviction & barriers to housing, loss of employment licenses, criminal record errors, loss of public and disability benefits, forfeiture of property and government misconduct.  The attorney will work collaboratively with criminal defense and family defense attorneys, advocates and social workers to assess client legal needs.  The attorney will represent individuals in negotiations, administrative and judicial proceedings and trials, with a particular concentration in housing, employment, public benefits and forfeiture proceedings.  The attorneys also will be involved in community trainings and public education.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking experienced attorneys, with a preference for those who are admitted to practice in the State of New York.  Additionally, individuals with experience in housing court and familiarity with the housing landscape in the Bronx are highly desirable.  Applicants must be independent, creative, team players who are highly motivated; Applicants should be able to work collaboratively with others to assess and meet client needs.  Excellent organizational skills, writing ability, and communication skills are essential.  Fluency in Spanish is preferred.  Should have a demonstrated commitment to public interest law and to advocating on behalf of individuals from marginalized communities.

Salary commensurate with experience.  Excellent benefits.

To apply, submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample and references electronically via email to jobs@bronxdefenders.org by the end of business on August 1, 2016 and put “Civil Generalist  Attorney (CAP)” in the subject line.  Resumes will only be accepted electronically. No faxes or phone calls please.  We will be reviewing applications and interviewing on a rolling basis.

The Bronx Defenders is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff.  We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences and communities to apply.