Housing Protection Attorney: Civil Investigations/Litigation (3706)

at  Attorney General Office of the

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications:

• At least two (2) years of post-graduation litigation experience.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong organization skills and the ability to handle a diverse, fast paced, and high-volume case load that includes document review, investigations, affirmative litigation, and settlement negotiations.
• Highly motivated with a demonstrated ability to jump-start investigations and litigation by identifying issues and creating case strategies that lead to either the settlement or prosecution of claims.
• An understanding of New York State tenant and rent laws, affordable housing programs, or other relevant real estate experience is preferred.

Applicants must reside in (or intend to soon become a resident of) New York State and be admitted to practice law in New York State. In addition, the Public Officers Law requires that attorneys in the Office be citizens of the United States. A two (2) year commitment upon being hired is a condition of employment.

The Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG) seeks a dedicated attorney with litigation experience to serve in the Housing Protection Unit (HPU). HPU is charged with addressing violations of tenant laws, preserving New York State’s affordable housing stock, and stopping fraud in the real estate industry.

Some representative investigations by the OAG include:

• Securing $4 million from landlords after uncovering an illegal kickback scheme to deregulate apartments;
• Cracking down on Tenant Blacklisting;
• Securing more than $400,000 for tenants harassed by Ink Property Group, along with up to $1.75 million for affordable housing;
• Joining New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas in preserving an affordable housing cooperative development in Rockland County;
• Recovering nearly $300,000 of illegally withheld security deposits for Brooklyn tenants;
• Delivering $50,000 to Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA), a tenant organizing project;
• Shutting down a landlord for exposing children to lead paint hazards in Syracuse; and
• Suing Brooklyn-based eviction lawyers for engaging in deceptive rent collection practices and initiating frivolous lawsuits against New York tenants.

Duties:

• You will investigate complaints and litigate civil claims around violations of tenant laws and fraud in real estate using Executive Law § 63(12) and other tenant and consumer protection laws.
• Day to day to tasks will include:

o Developing facts;
o Reviewing subpoenaed documents;
o Taking testimony of witnesses;
o Drafting complaints or petitions;
o Litigating cases in various courts; and

o Engaging in settlement negotiations.

• You may also work on the following:

o Developing ties with community groups and advocates in order to better understand the issues facing New York residents; and
o Creating education materials for tenants and engaging in developing policy, including drafting white papers.