Supervising Attorney - Foreclosure Defense

The Western New York Law Center, Inc. (WNYLC) has an immediate opening for a Full-Time Supervising Attorney to work within our Foreclosure Defense Department.  The Supervising Attorney will manage the day-to-day operations of the department, including setting case priorities, accepting cases for representation, directing impact litigation and systemic advocacy strategies, and collaborating on grant administration and compliance.  They will be directly responsible for supervising program staff, which will include attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers.  The Supervising Attorney will also maintain a caseload of their own housing cases.  The ideal candidate will have a legal services background with a dedication to public interest work. 

Since its formation in 1996, WNYLC has committed to its enduring mission to ensure that low-income Western New Yorkers receive a full range of civil legal services, including representation, policy advocacy, and legal education, focused on the areas of housing, income maintenance, and consumer debt.

Responsibilities: 

• Supervise caseload of supervised personnel, ensuring that each employee handles an appropriate amount of work, and coordinates the periodic review of these cases.
• Review and approve supervisee’s timekeeping and data entry; maintain thorough and timely case and file management and ensure compliance by supervisees under the program rules specified by funders and WNYLC’s internal policies.
• Assign cases based on complexity of case, anticipated litigation, staff attorney case volume and funding availability.
• Develop and facilitate intake process ensuring all protocols are followed.
• Support, encourage, and co-counsel on affirmative and impact litigation.
• Maintain a reasonable personal caseload to ensure advocates have sufficient access to supervision and support.
• Engage in direct and comprehensive legal representation, including advice, negotiation, motion practice, discovery, and litigation along with administrative and legislative advocacy. 
• Attend legal services partner meetings.
• Develop and maintain community support and relationships with community-based organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, and the courts.
• Assist with the development, funding, implementation and reporting of grants and programs.
• Respond to client, community, and staff concerns.
• Assist the Managing Attorney in office-wide projects, policy advocacy, and community outreach.
• Monitor developments in the law and lead both initial training for new staff members in unit and periodic updates for experienced staff.
• Comply with all ethical and professional responsibilities (e.g. NY Rules of Professional Conduct, CLEs) and remain in good standing with the Bar.
• Incorporate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and engage in learning to become increasingly skilled in supervision that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Admitted to practice in NYS, required.
• Three (3) or more years of previous experience at WNYLC or in legal services.
• Experience with foreclosure defense law and/or landlord/tenant law, preferred.
• Proficient in use of computer software.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, with a high caseload.
• Travel, required.
• May need to work evening hours, as needed.

• Track record of effective project management, supervisory, and/or leadership experience.
• Experience and demonstrated skill in mentoring and training less experienced attorneys, paralegals and/or other staff.
• Experience or familiarity with grant administration, reporting, and compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and undertake initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to command the trust and respect of staff members, community groups and the legal community.

• Affirmative and defensive civil litigation and advocacy experience in New York State and/or federal court and/or administrative forums, preferably in the areas of consumer law and economic justice.

• Ability to work under deadlines and manage multiple tasks.
• Experience related to serving individuals from marginalized groups.
• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a commitment to providing trauma-informed services.
• Humility in working with colleagues and clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities and/or limited English proficiency.
• Ability to lead and contribute to coalition efforts around consumer, economic, and housing justice issues.
• Knowledge of media and communications skills to effectively advocate for low-income consumers outside of the courts.
• Fluency in Spanish or another language other than English that is spoken by our clients is a plus.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary Range is $71,751.43 - $108,632.91.  Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.  WNYLC offers a competitive salary and generous benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 3 weeks of vacation, 12 paid holidays plus paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s, sick and personal leave, eligibility for public student loan forgiveness, paid life insurance, pension plan, Flexible Spending Account, and paid memberships.

Please send resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript (if admitted less than two years), writing sample (no longer than 10 pages), and the names of three professional references to Lauren Haas, Operations Manager, at lhaas@wnylc.net.  No phone calls please.