Position Overview:
Since 1968, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (BKA) has provided free legal services for low- and moderate-income individuals and families throughout New York City. Brooklyn A provides high-quality, low-barrier neighborhood-based legal services to individuals, families, nonprofit community-based organizations, community development corporations, coalitions, and small business owners, interested in developing and sustaining vibrant, healthy communities. The CED Program provides transactional legal counsel to nonprofits and small businesses that sustain and empower low-income communities. CED assists these organizations with an array of development and operational projects to sustain affordable housing developments, community health centers, and schools and advise small businesses on commercial lease matters.
Position Summary:
The Sr. Supervising Attorney/Program Director is responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Community Economic Development (CED) program. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, (CLO), the Sr. Supervising Attorney will partner, train, and supervise all CED program staff; represent the CED program to external and internal stakeholders, lead business development efforts for the department, maintain strong and trusting relationships with funders, as well as provide advanced legal services (when necessary). The Sr. Supervising Attorney will build team culture, identify program priorities, supervise the general reporting, compliance of funding contracts, management of data collection and coordinate with and provide information/assistance to the development team, as necessary.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Supervise program attorneys and paralegals to monitor legal work, including development of legal strategies, caseload management and case management practices
- Manage execution of the Small Business Services (SBS) Commercial Lease Assistance (CLA) program, navigating and communicating SBS procedures to the team;
- Supervise community legal education efforts, and similar activities that promote and expand program access to the communities;
- Create and manage program budget, regularly review incoming revenue streams against expenses in coordination the Executive Director and CFO;
- Draft and coordinate preparation of CED Program narrative materials for grant reporting, development proposals, website content, annual impact report, social media and marketing;
- Ensure projects comply with grant requirements and new grants are carefully vetted and coordinated with Development, Finance and Executive Director;
- Represent BKA with funders, elected officials and government agencies and other stakeholders;
- Develop pro bono partnerships with legal firms and manage externship program;
- Develop and implement staff trainings and materials related legal topics in collaboration with the CLO.
Qualifications:
- Admission to the bar of the State of New York or eligible for admission;
- 5+ years of experience in applicable transactional law practice
- Familiarity/experience representing nonprofit small businesses, community coalitions and/or working with clients in the nonprofit sector, low-income communities, community organizations, preferred.
- Public speaking experience ideally concerning CED legal advocacy (i.e., communicating with stakeholders, elected officials, pro bono partners)
- Strong writing skills (i.e. for law journals and trade-related publications, project narrative writing for grant proposals and funding reports).
- Supervisory experience leading a team and public/private contract and grant compliance
- Strong reporting and data analysis skills, including the ability to synthesize quantifiable and qualitative data into clear, plain language and readable charts and checklists;
- Ability to work independently, manage a significant team caseload, track case data, meet deadlines;
- Proficiency with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and other standard data management systems required, related certifications a plus;
- Comfort working with clients of different races, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
- Thorough commitment to Brooklyn A’s mission.
Compensation & Benefits:
Annual salary is $160,000. Benefits package includes employer paid health insurance; 27 days annual vacation, employer 4% contribution to 401(k); and paid parental leave. This is a hybrid in-office/remote work position.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and a cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications to Sue Sherr-Seitz.
Brooklyn A is a diverse team that is committed to recruiting, supporting, retaining, and promoting talented staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences that share the organization's commitment to racial, economic and social justice. At Brooklyn A, diversity encompasses a variety of characteristics, lifestyles, and perspectives, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education, disability, socio-economic status, and family status.
We firmly believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment is essential to both the quality of our client services and the personal satisfaction of our staff. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply, including women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, people from low-income backgrounds, and with lived experiences in the communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical disability, or length of time spent unemployed.