VP Legal Services

Organization Overview:

BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger Bronx community. In all aspects of our work, BronxWorks strives for the highest ethical and performance standards. We are guided by the belief that people must be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their present situation or past experiences. We have over 65 locations throughout the Bronx providing a variety of programs that assist in the areas of family, children and youth support, educational services, senior services, homelessness, financial empowerment, and workforce development, among others. With over 50 years of experience supporting Bronx communities, we are an employer of choice for those seeking a meaningful career in the social services field.

BronxWorks Legal Services

The BronxWorks model aims to break the cycle of poverty through a holistic approach, helping individuals and families transition from crisis to self-sufficiency. A key component of this continuum of support is BronxWorks Legal Services, which provides free legal assistance to those seeking immigration stability, facing eviction, and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. Within BronxWorks Legal Services, the Tenant Defense Program plays a vital role in securing housing stability for low-income tenants. The program supports New York City’s groundbreaking Universal Access to Counsel initiative which, as implemented, ensures low-income tenants the right to full legal representation in eviction proceedings.

Vice President of Legal Services Opportunity

BronxWorks seeks an experienced legal services supervisor to lead BronxWorks Legal Services. The vice president is responsible for all aspects of the legal services department’s strategic direction and operations, ensuring the department and its personnel have the training and resources necessary to fulfill its mission and objectives. The vice president will supervise an associate vice president who oversees the organization’s immigration and crime victims assistance legal services programs. The vice president will also serve as the director of the Tenant Defense Program and will supervise three tenant defense supervising attorneys as well as certain support personnel for that program. In addition, the vice president will supervise the continuous quality improvement specialist for the legal services department. The ideal candidate is passionate about social justice, an expert on NYC housing law, practice, and benefits, and capable of leading and motivating a team to meet high standards of legal representation and client service.

BronxWorks Legal Services Responsibilities

• Oversee the entire legal services portfolio for BronxWorks, including all aspects of program development, operation, and quality. Ensure required program deliverables are met.
• Supervise the associate vice president and the continuous quality improvement specialist for the legal services department, providing coaching and mentoring, regular supervision, evaluation, and feedback.
• Supervise the associate vice president to ensure high standards of legal representation and client service in the legal services programs under their supervision. Identify and oversee implementation of process and procedural improvements for these programs.
• Assist the associate vice president’s efforts to recruit and train, and ensure appropriate supervision, for qualified, high-quality personnel for all legal services programs under their supervision.
• Identify and supervise efforts to secure appropriate new funding opportunities to support as well as expand the legal services department’s operations and scope.

Tenant Defense Director Responsibilities

• Lead the BronxWorks Tenant Defense Program, including all aspects of program development, operation, and quality. Ensure required program deliverables are met.
• Supervise the Tenant Defense Program supervising attorneys and case managers/ administrative paralegal(s), providing training, regular supervision, evaluation, and feedback.
• Ensure high standards of legal representation and client service, implementing processes and structures for effective supervision of legal work, legal strategies, and case administration. Monitor and allocate caseloads among teams and attorneys.
• Develop and maintain practice guidance, staff training, and ongoing professional development.
• Recruit, hire, and onboard staff in alignment with program budget and grant requirements.
• Ensure program compliance with applicable contractual and legal requirements.
• Develop metrics, reports, and dashboards to evaluate and communicate program performance and quality. Timely submit all required grant reporting.
• Secure and manage appropriate program resources including software, research tools, supplies, and equipment.
• Represent the program and organization with funding agencies, provider networks and coalitions, and internal leadership groups.
• Build relationships with BronxWorks programs, community organizations, advocates, government agencies, elected officials, provider networks, and the courts. Attend meetings and participate in networks and coalitions to promote organizational, program, and client interests.
• Ensure program staff effectively collaborate with other BronxWorks programs and external resources to comprehensively address client needs.
• Maintain a very reduced client caseload, as may be appropriate and needed due to case complexity, legal importance, staffing vacancies, or other factors.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for best practices and service quality.
• Create and manage the program budget, ensuring sound fiscal management and exploring new funding opportunities.
• Create program materials, such as reports, proposals, website content, annual impact report, social media, and similar content.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Admission to the New York State Bar in good standing or eligible for admission through reciprocity.
• A minimum of 10 years of practice experience as an admitted attorney.
• A minimum of 7 years of litigation experience in landlord-tenant cases, including supervisory experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of NYC housing law and related government benefits.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and working in low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity.
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent legal research, oral and written advocacy, analytical, communication, and litigation skills.
• Strong leadership skills and a commitment to supporting, training, and mentoring staff.
• Sound judgment, strategic, and initiative for practice improvements and program development.
• Experience writing narrative reports and reporting on program metrics.
• Proficiency in computer skills for database tracking, report preparation, communication, and administrative tasks.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting.

Plus Factors

• Fluency or proficiency in either Spanish or another relevant language in addition to English is preferred.
• Experience as a supervising attorney or director in a NYC Universal Access to Counsel Program or other relevant NYC-based public interest housing legal services program.

BronxWorks Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

BronxWorks seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity

BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and employee development, placement, promotion, demotion, upgrading, downgrading, transfer, layoff, and termination. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact hrbenefits@bronxworks.org.

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