Staff Attorney - Emergencies

Staff Attorney - Emergencies

Background

Founded in 2013, The Waterfront Project, Inc. (WFP), is a nonprofit legal help center and HUD-certified counseling agency. WFP Staff Attorneys provide free civil legal representation, brief advice, and advocacy to Hudson County’s most vulnerable residents - the working poor, seniors, homeless, and those living with disabilities.

Currently, WFP’s primary focus is pursuing creative legal strategies to allow low-income people to stay in their homes and communities, especially in neighborhoods experiencing rapid development and gentrification. WFP represents clients on matters related to housing, foreclosure, and sexual assault/domestic violence.

Position

The Staff Attorney provides civil legal services, with a focus on emergency landlord-tenant matters. The Staff Attorney also provides know your rights workshops for community partners and clients.

Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney will provide legal advice and direct representation primarily to tenants in Hudson County who come to WFP with an emergency matter, including but not limited to pending lockouts, Orders to Show Cause, Orders for Orderly Removal, etc. The Attorney will also be expected to engage in activities including but not limited to:

• Provide advice, counsel, and direct representation to clients in civil proceedings primarily in Hudson County Landlord/Tenant Court;
• Conduct legal intake and evaluate clients’ legal needs onsite and at various offsite legal clinics;
• Provide training and technical assistance to community partners on tenants rights; and
• Coordinate and collaborate with other tenant groups and community-based organizations.

Qualifications

• License and ability to practice law in New Jersey required;
• At least 1 year litigation experience, preferably in landlord-tenant law;
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to manage a heavy caseload and maintain contact with clients on a daily basis;
• Strong organizational, research, analytical, and oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and/or ability to learn new technologies;
• Ability to work in a nonprofit environment, both independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to track legal developments in applicable areas of law affecting program clients;
• Ability to work with underrepresented communities, including but not limited to people living with physical or mental health disabilities and clients of diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds;
• Bilingual (such as English/Spanish or Arabic/English) skills preferred but not required;

Pay and Benefits

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), with work occurring during normal business hours, though some know-your-rights workshops may occasionally occur during nights and weekends. WFP offers a competitive nonprofit salary (ranging from $85,000-92,000 based on experience) and a public interest benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, a retirement plan with a 2% employer contribution, 29 PTO days, 13 office holidays, and professional development opportunities. This is a hybrid position, based out of Jersey City, with the flexibility to work from home 3 days a week.

How to Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to ldiaz@thewaterfrontproject.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Given WFP has an immediate opening, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application at their earliest convenience. No calls, please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

WFP is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, veterans, people with disabilities, and people with lived experience of housing insecurity are encouraged to apply. WFP does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, creed, nationality, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, civil union status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical cellular or blood trait, military status or any other category protected by federal, state or other law applicable in the location of employment.

Do you feel like you do not meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At The Waterfront Project, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $85,000.00 - $92,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Language:

• Spanish or Arabic (Required)

License/Certification:

• License to Practice Law in New Jersey (Required)

Work Location: In person