Job Summary

The Tenant Defense Project helps tenants across Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and the Southern Tier maintain safe, healthy, and stable housing. This position is part of a new early intervention team funded by the New York State Unified Court System through its Judiciary Civil Legal Services program. The work is primarily out of court. The attorney reaches tenants before an eviction petition is filed, or as early in a pending matter as possible, and resolves the underlying problem through negotiation, rental assistance, and administrative advocacy.

The Staff Attorney will negotiate directly with landlords, property managers, and their counsel, represent tenants in administrative hearings and appeals involving subsidized housing and public benefits, advocate with housing authorities and code enforcement on habitability and reasonable accommodation issues, and provide advice and limited-scope assistance to tenants at the pre-litigation stage. Court appearances are a limited part of this role. Matters that require contested litigation are generally referred to the court representation team, though the attorney may appear when a matter cannot be resolved outside court or when emergency relief is needed.

The Syracuse position serves Jefferson County in the Fifth Judicial District, Cortland County in the Sixth Judicial District, and Cayuga County in the Seventh Judicial District. Coverage of Jefferson County is coordinated with the Watertown office and coverage of Cayuga County is coordinated with the Oswego office. The position requires regular travel throughout the assigned counties.

Essential Job Duties

• Engage tenants at the earliest point of housing instability, including after a rent demand, notice to cure, notice of termination, or notice of nonrenewal, and before a petition is filed.
• Negotiate with landlords, property managers, and opposing counsel to resolve rent arrears, habitability conditions, and lease disputes without court involvement.
• Coordinate rental assistance, utility assistance, housing subsidies, and public benefits, working with the Client Services Coordinator to resolve the conditions that drive housing loss.
• Represent tenants in administrative proceedings, including Section 8 and Housing Choice Voucher terminations, public housing lease terminations, subsidy recertification and repayment disputes, and informal hearings before housing authorities and administering agencies.
• Advocate with housing authorities, subsidy administrators, property managers, and code enforcement on repairs, habitability conditions, and reasonable accommodation requests under fair housing law.
• Represent tenants in public benefits matters that bear directly on housing stability, including emergency assistance and rental arrears denials, and request fair hearings where appropriate.
• Prepare clients to testify at administrative hearings.
• Draft demand letters, negotiation correspondence, hearing requests, administrative appeals, and settlement and payment agreements.
• Advise tenants on their rights and options at the pre-litigation stage and provide limited-scope assistance, including help preparing an answer or requesting an adjournment.
• Provide same-day consultation in urgent matters, including illegal lockouts, utility shutoffs, and imminent warrant execution, and coordinate referral to the court representation team where litigation is required.
• Appear in City, Town, and Village Courts on a limited basis when a matter cannot be resolved outside court or when emergency relief is needed.
• Conduct legal research and stay current on landlord-tenant law, subsidy program rules, and eviction prevention strategies.
• Deliver Know Your Rights presentations and train caseworkers, advocates, Office for the Aging and Department of Social Services staff, and other providers who work with tenants.
• Assist with intake at off-site locations, including during evening hours, to ensure accessibility for clients.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete case and time records in the case management system in compliance with LSC regulations, LASMNY policies, and grant reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with partner organizations, pro bono attorneys, and other stakeholders, and serve as an ambassador for LASMNY in the community.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and case consultations.
• Exhibit a strong commitment to advancing the mission of LASMNY.

Professional Standards

• Demonstrate the highest level of professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive client information.
• Communicate effectively and courteously with clients, attorneys, court personnel, agency staff, and community partners.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance in accordance with organizational policies.
• Adapt to new technologies and systems, including legal research tools and case management software.
• Comply with all Legal Services Corporation regulations, LASMNY policies and procedures, and grant-based reporting requirements.
• Perform additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by a supervisor based on agency needs.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master of Laws (LL.M.) from an accredited law school.
• Eligible for admission to practice law in New York State. Law school graduates registered for the New York State Bar Exam, or eligible for admission on motion, are encouraged to apply.
• Valid New York State driver license and access to reliable transportation, with the ability to travel regularly to client meetings, agency hearings, and community sites throughout the assigned counties.
• Excellent written, analytical, organizational, and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and serving communities facing systemic barriers to justice.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively, and manage a high volume of matters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Admission to practice law in New York State with zero to five years of experience.
• Experience in landlord-tenant law.
• Experience negotiating with landlords, property managers, or opposing counsel.
• Experience with administrative hearings, including subsidized housing terminations or public benefits appeals.
• Familiarity with rental assistance programs, Section 8 and Housing Choice Voucher programs, public housing, and utility assistance.
• Proficiency in languages other than English.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is paid pursuant to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. For law graduates who are not yet admitted, the salary is $78,000 pending admission. Upon admission, attorneys move to Step 0-1 at $80,000, with salaries increasing to $89,161 at Step 5-6. Placement is by years of relevant experience under the collective bargaining agreement.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by NOLSW/UAW Local 2320. Hours, salary, and benefits are governed by the collective bargaining agreement in effect. LASMNY provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, paid leave, and professional development opportunities. LASMNY is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Application Process

Qualified candidates are invited to apply through our online application system. Click on the following link to apply: https://workforcenow.adp.com/.