TakeRoot Justice (“TakeRoot”) seeks applicants with one (1) to three (3) years relevant substantive legal experience for the position of Staff Attorney to join TakeRoot’s small and mighty Consumer Justice practice, which includes a Supervising Attorney and the soon to be hired staff attorney.
TakeRoot’s Consumer Justice practice serves low-income New Yorkers in communities of color hard hit by the financial crisis, rising housing costs, natural disasters, the global pandemic, and the injustice of racism and poverty. Our community partners serve communities already destabilized by rising living costs, stagnant wages, and the deceptive and abusive practices of banks, lenders, bail bond companies, landlords, car dealers, identity thieves, and other unscrupulous bad actors. Our litigation practice primarily provides individual legal representation for low-income consumers sued by creditors in state courts. We also bring affirmative litigation in federal court to protect our clients’ rights under federal and state law. Additionally, the practice files complaints and advocates on behalf of clients with both state and federal agencies.
The consumer practice partners with community organizations to provide legal clinics, community education workshops, self- help materials, train the trainer trainings for organizing staff, and offers legislative resources in support of organizing to address systemic policies that destabilize communities financially, prevent financial growth, and limit a community’s ability to hold onto its resources.
Primary Staff Attorney Responsibilities include:
• Litigate individual and group claims on behalf of consumers in state and federal courts;
• Staff consumer debt legal intake clinics at community-based organizations for their members;
• Create curriculum and conduct know-your-rights and train-the-trainer workshops from existing curricula for community-based organizations, their staff, and their members;
• Respond creatively to new areas of need for community organizations’ members with regard to consumer justice issues, especially those of immigrant consumers and lowincome NYC tenants;
• Advocate to judicial, legislative, and regulatory bodies on behalf of, or in partnership with, community-based organizations and their members regarding consumer reforms;
• Supervise volunteers and interns who assist with the work described above.
Applicant Qualifications/Skills:
• Admitted to the New York Bar, and possesses at least one (1) to three (3) years of relevant substantive civil legal experience;
• Experience working with diverse teams in a collaborative model that uplifts all voices on the team and prioritizes professional development;
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations throughout NYC’s low-income communities;
• Experience working with social justice and/or community organizing groups strongly preferred;
• Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred
Salary and Compensation:
The salary range for this position is $63,600 to $68,513 consistent with the salary scale set forth in the TakeRoot collective bargaining agreement. An excellent benefits package is available, including generous vacation, personal, and sick time, along with strong medical and dental
coverage. This is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW, Local 2320.
Who We Are:
Background: TakeRoot Justice, formerly the Community Development Project of the Urban Justice Center provides legal, participatory research and policy support to strengthen the work of grassroots and community-based groups in New York City to dismantle racial, economic and social oppression. TakeRoot employs a unique model of partnership with grassroots and community-based groups. Our partners take the lead in determining the priorities and goals for our work and advance our understanding of justice. TakeRoot’s current practice areas are capacity building, consumer justice, equitable neighborhoods, tenants’ rights & housing justice, immigrants’ rights, participatory research and policy, and workers’ rights. TakeRoot Justice is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under the law. TakeRoot encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTGNCNBQI+ people, people from low-income backgrounds, and people with personal experience with the criminal justice system. We strongly encourage applications from people who have experience with the communities we serve. TakeRoot believes that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample by email to jobs@takerootjustice.org, Attn: Ted Wan. Please include “CJ Staff Attorney” in the subject line. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until we fill the position.