The NYCHA Law Department’s General Litigation Division seeks an attorney to litigate significant and complex employment and fair housing matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, and to defend the nation’s largest public housing agency in appeals from administrative determinations concerning employment-and tenancy-termination, applicant eligibility, succession rights, and Section 8 benefits.

Under the direction of the Director and Chief, responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

1. Litigate employment and housing-related civil rights actions (mostly sounding in discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, failure to accommodate, etc.), in both state and federal civil courts, including fact investigation, discovery, motion practice, trial, and appeal.
2. Draft pleadings, legal memoranda, affidavits, and other documents in response to Article 78 and Article 81 proceedings in state court.
3. Appear for oral argument before trial and appellate courts.
4. Investigate and respond to employment and housing discrimination charges and complaints filed with administrative agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York State Division of Human Rights, and the New York City Commission on Human Rights; trying matters before administrative law judges.
5. Recommend settlement of litigation matters, negotiating and drafting settlement agreements on behalf of the agency.
6. Respond to communications and notices from courts, agencies, opposing counsel, and internal agency stakeholders regarding potential or active litigation matters.
7. Perform other related duties, including researching legal questions and providing advice and counsel to other agency departments.

Note: The selected candidate will be required to maintain confidentiality regarding all NYCHA proceedings.

Additional Information

1. Resume and cover letter must also include bar admission date(s) (month and year). Candidates must also provide two writing samples representing the candidate's efforts, not those of a reviewer; three references, listing their professional association and the circumstances under which they became familiar with the candidate's professional skills; and a copy of law school transcript.
2. NYCHA employees applying for transfer, promotional, title or level change opportunities must have served a period of one year at current location and in current title and level (if applicable).
3. NYCHA residents are encouraged to apply.

Please read this posting carefully to make certain you meet the minimum qualification requirements before applying to this position.

Graduation from an accredited United States law school as defined in the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals (Sections 520.3 or 520.5) or admission to the New York State Bar.

1. Qualification for admission to the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 2. Knowledge of EEO and housing laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans With Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing Act, Housing Act of 1937, New York State Executive Law, and New York City Administrative Code a plus. 3. Strong legal analysis and writing skills and the ability to conduct thorough factual investigations, research applicable law, conduct legal analysis, and evaluate the strengths and weakness of a matter.

NYCHA has no residency requirements.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

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