Project Description Brooklyn Legal Services seeks a staff attorney for our LGBTQ & HIV Advocacy Project.

Brooklyn Legal Services, part of Legal Services NYC, provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn’s diverse low-income population. LSNYC and BLS pride themselves on their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. As a social justice organization, we are committed to fighting for a workplace that is as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible for everyone. Our DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand, and work to realize our DEIB goals.

The LGBTQ & HIV Advocacy Project is a general practice unit designed to provide comprehensive legal services in a single location for people living with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ community. The Project provides representation in a broad range of civil legal issues including discrimination in housing, healthcare, employment, education, and other public accommodations; appealing wrongful denials in public assistance, social security, health insurance, and other benefits; eviction prevention; obtaining legal name and gender marker changes; and advance directives (wills, living wills, powers of attorneys, etc.). The Project also files affirmative litigation challenging discrimination and other systemic abuses faced by the LGBTQ and HIV communities.

Roles and Responsibilities The staff attorney will be responsible for litigation, advocacy, community outreach, and education throughout Brooklyn and sometimes in other boroughs when collaborating with our community partners. There is a significant community outreach component to the work, including doing client intake at regular outreach clinics, sometimes after-hours; establishing relationships with community-based organizations and governmental entities that serve PLWHA and LGBTQ populations, including attending community-centered meetings and events after-hours and on weekends; and representing clients in a number of courts and administrative fora, primarily housing court, NY Supreme Court, Social Security hearings, and the Commission on Human Rights. Project staff attorneys regularly make home and hospital visits to meet with clients.

Experience and Qualifications JD required. Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment to public interest law and experience working with people living with the HIV and the LGBTQ community in particular; previous civil rights litigation experience in NY Supreme Court or federal court, 2 including writing pleadings and briefs, conducting discovery and motion practice, handling hearings and trials, and arguing appeals; excellent legal research, writing, and litigation skills; and strong verbal communication skills. Experience litigating New York City and State Human Rights Laws is strongly preferred. Applicants must have excellent time management skills and the ability to manage complex cases and competing deadlines. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively with individuals from our Project’s communities—including transgender, gender non-conforming, gay, and lesbian individuals, people living with HIV/AIDS, substance users, people with mental illnesses, and people who have experienced trauma. Applicants should be able to conduct outreach and education events in low-income neighborhoods. Proficiency in Spanish is preferred.

Vaccine Mandate Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, LSNYC requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

How to Apply Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to [email protected]. Please write “LGBTQHIV – ATTORNEY” in the subject line of the email. Cover letters must be discussed particularized interest in working with PLWHA and LGBTQ communities.

Salary and benefits are determined by the LS-NYC Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job#72_2022; Posted 7.2022