Housing Staff Attorney

ORGANIZATION HISTORY AND MISSION

The MinKwon Center for Community Action is a dynamic, mission-driven, and people-powered nonprofit organization that serves, educates, and organizes the Korean American, Asian Pacific American (APA), and immigrant communities in New York and around the country. The MinKwon Center offers free assistance with public benefits, health insurance enrollment, and taxes; provides free legal representation for immigration and housing, promotes civic participation with voter and census registration and outreach, and organizes campaigns with other local, state, and federal coalitions. By prioritizing the needs and voices of low-income, undocumented, youth, senior, and limited English proficient residents, we are building a multilingual, multi-generational base of engaged community members to achieve social and economic justice for all.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a dedicated and talented individual to serve as a Housing Staff Attorney. MinKwon Center’s Staff Attorney will provide free legal consultations and direct representation for tenants in New York City, with a particular focus on tenants residing in Queens. This position is housed in our Legal Services program and requires a J.D.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Provide legal counsel and direct representation to clients, litigate cases in housing court and administrative forums, and negotiate settlements.
• Work with the Community Advocate to conduct comprehensive screenings, intakes, and case assessments.
• Work with MinKwon organizers to conduct outreach, trainings, and workshops for individuals and community partners on housing issues.
• Provide client representation and advocacy with city, state, and federal agencies on individual cases, as well as policy advocacy to prevent tenant displacement.
• Represent MinKwon during meetings with tenant groups and housing-related coalition meetings.
• Process housing-related correspondence and manage routine client communications.
• Supervise the Community Advocate, volunteers, and interns.
• Maintain detailed and up-to-date notes in case management system, and in physical and electronic files.
• Work with MinKwon’s development staff on legal services grants deliverables and reporting.

QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum required qualifications for this position include the following:

• Licensed to practice law in New York.
• English and Korean proficiency is required.
• Ability to manage a diverse and high caseload and deadlines efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent legal writing, litigation, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work well both independently and in teams.
• Strong commitment to public service; non-profit experience preferred.

The ideal candidate will also have the following preferred qualifications:

• Previous experience with housing legal or social services.
• Knowledge, interest, and commitment towards concepts and issues of social, political, and economic justice and positive social change in the U.S., especially in the context of Korean American, APIA, and/or immigrant communities.
• Experience with data entry and management.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to hr@minkwon.org.

Please write ‘Housing Staff Attorney’ in the email subject line, and please specify in your email how you found out about this position. (website, LinkedIn, Indeed, Facebook, etc.) Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled and this posting is removed. Due to the high volume of applications, the MinKwon Center will only contact applicants who have been selected for an interview. No phone calls, please.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The MinKwon Center for Community Action does not discriminate against current or prospective employees based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, marital status, family or dependent status, criminal record, disability, mental illness, sexual orientation, genetics, active military, credit score and history, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.