Staff Attorney

About Covenant House New York

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

About the role

The Staff Attorney at Covenant House New York (CHNY) is, first and foremost, a voice for the young people we strive to serve as they transition from life on the streets to self-sufficiency. The Staff Attorney counsels and represents youth, typically ages 16 to 24, in a wide range of areas, including immigration, family law, housing, employment, public assistance, name changes, and the collateral consequences of criminal convictions, among others. Prior experience/familiarity in immigration, family, or criminal law would be especially helpful for this position. The Staff Attorney will report to the Director of Legal Services and help shape the department and integrate it with the rest of CHNY. The Staff Attorney will assist with legislative efforts on issues affecting the population of homeless youth; issues such as homelessness, mental health, employment, education, juvenile justice, and more. 

What you'll do

• Meet with and represent clients on selected legal issues (sometimes that will involve taking the case all the way through to the courtroom and in other cases will entail one-time advice and counsel, sometimes directing youth to appropriate resources for assistance) 

• Conduct staff training on legal issues 
• Help facilitate Know Your Rights workshops with the goal of empowering and educating CHNY youth 
• Assist with the creation and management of legal-related events, as needed 
• Attend team, department, and other staff meetings 
• Coordinate with social workers, case managers, mental health professionals, and other resources to provide wraparound services for CHNY youth 
• Advocate for specific bills or policies that relate to CHNY and/or RHY youth 
• Attend coalition/community meetings related to CHNY advocacy efforts 
• Identify trends that could be addressed through legislation/policy changes 
• Occasionally draft policy papers, testimony, and other written material related to CHNY’s advocacy efforts, and testify at hearings 

Qualifications

• J.D. and admitted to practice law in New York State; minimum 2 years of experience 
• Courtroom litigation experience required 
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, a mission-driven organization, and service to vulnerable and diverse populations 
• Able to work well with diverse staff and clients at various levels of the organization 
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, communication, and writing skills 
• Clear passion for working with and advocating for an underserved homeless youth population 
• Fluency and/or proficiency in Spanish and/or French preferred.