Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; active member of the New York State Bar
10-12 years of experience in landlord-tenant litigation and housing court practice
Proven ability to manage a high volume of landlord-tenant matters simultaneously
Experience overseeing outside counsel and litigation strategy
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and city housing regulations
Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills
Familiarity with legal research tools and Microsoft Office Suite
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary legal advisor on landlord-tenant matters
Monitor and track landlord-tenant litigation and housing court proceedings
Review case files and court filings to assess litigation posture
Advise on lease obligations and tenancy terminations
Identify patterns in housing court matters and recommend policy changes
Evaluate settlement proposals and negotiation strategies
Train property management staff on tenant communications and lease enforcement
Benefits
Collaborative work environment with cross-departmental engagement
Opportunity to influence policy and procedural changes
Access to professional development and training resources
Engagement with outside legal counsel for diverse legal exposure
Involvement in significant housing-related legal matters
Full Job Description
Reporting to the Deputy Vice President, Asset Management Legal, the Attorney, Asset Management serves as the organization's primary legal advisor on all landlord-tenant matters. The Attorney monitors, tracks, and advises on housing court cases and tenancy issues across the portfolio. They oversee and manage partnerships with outside legal counsel on litigation, subpoenas, and insurance claims.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Landlord-Tenant and Housing Court Matters
Serve as the organization's lead point of contact for all landlord-tenant legal matters, providing day-to-day advice and guidance to property management and operations staff
Monitor and track the full caseload of landlord-tenant litigation and housing court proceedings handled by outside counsel, ensuring timely progress and consistent case strategy
Review and assess individual case files, pleadings, and court filings to evaluate litigation posture and risk
Advise internal teams on lease obligations, tenancy terminations, holdover and nonpayment proceedings, remaining family member issues, and enforcement processes in accordance with applicable federal, state, and city housing regulations
Proactively identify patterns or recurring issues across housing court matters and recommend policy or procedural changes to reduce litigation risk
Evaluate settlement proposals and negotiation strategies presented by outside counsel, providing approval or direction as needed
Provide guidance on regulatory compliance related to subsidized and supportive housing programs as it intersects with tenancy and housing court matters
Train and advise property management staff on best practices for tenant communications, documentation, and lease enforcement to minimize litigation exposure
Subpoenas and Legal Process
Oversee agency response to subpoenas, particularly those arising from landlord-tenant and housing court matters, coordinating with outside counsel as needed
Ensure timely and compliant handling of legal document requests and administrative processes
Insurance Claims
Liaise with outside counsel managing insurance claims on behalf of the agency on any tenant related housing claims
Track claim status, provide internal reporting, and support risk mitigation strategies
General Legal and Administrative Support
Serve as the key point of contact between Breaking Ground and outside law firms handling litigation and other legal matters
Develop internal policies, procedures, and training related to landlord-tenant practice and housing litigation, compliance
Collaborate cross-departmentally with property management, compliance, and finance teams on tenancy-related risk and operational issues
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; active member in good standing of the New York State Bar
10-12 years of hands-on experience in landlord-tenant litigation and housing court practice, including motion practice, trial preparation, and settlement negotiation
Demonstrated ability to monitor, track, and manage a high volume of landlord-tenant matters simultaneously
Experience managing outside counsel relationships and overseeing litigation strategy
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and city housing regulations (e.g., HUD, Section 8/Section 9 subsidized housing programs)
Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, and organizational skills
Experience with legal research tools (LexisNexis, Westlaw)
