Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with wraparound services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Legal Affairs, the Paralegal, Legal Affairs manages and tracks legal workstreams; prepares reports; and assists with regulatory compliance, planning initiatives, and policy development. This role requires working knowledge of New York State landlord–tenant law and New York City court procedures. The Paralegal serves as an on-the-ground resource for the Legal Affairs team, supporting time sensitive and in person tasks that cannot be completed remotely. The Paralegal reviews and manages legal documents, independently follows up on assigned matters, and maintains accurate records to support departmental reporting and compliance obligations. They develop and maintain strong internal and external partnerships across departments and agencies.
This position works onsite, five days a week.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Serve as an initial point of contact for vendor contracts related to buildings, programs, and support departments, including verifying accuracy of entity names, addresses, and related details
• Review vendor contracts to flag key provisions for inclusion or removal, including insurance requirements, termination clauses, and early termination penalties
• Liaise with internal building staff, Legal Affairs staff, and outside landlord tenant counsel
• Organize and maintain electronic document storage systems in accordance with departmental protocols
• Track contract terms, obligations, deadlines, and renewal requirements in designated databases and tracking tools
• Partner with senior staff to document, monitor, and resolve vendor contract issues
• Assist with follow up on insurance claims, including tracking claim related tasks, correspondence, and timelines, and preparing reports as needed
• Support risk inspections by scheduling site visits, tracking recommendations, and documenting follow up actions
• Assist with management of legal matters, including notifying appropriate stakeholders of newly filed lawsuits, supporting responses to subpoenas, document requests, and discovery obligations
• Provide legal and operational research assistance, including investigating potential new service locations; reviewing policies and procedures for regulatory compliance; and supporting planning for new initiatives
• Perform additional duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate from an accredited ABA-approved program required
• 3 years of paralegal experience in real estate, landlord-tenant law, housing law, legal services, property management required
• Knowledge of New York State landlord–tenant law and New York City court procedures required
• Familiarity with homeless outreach, safe havens, supportive or affordable housing, or similar social services environments preferred
• Strong proficiency with computers and common business software, including document management systems and databases Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to coordinate and communicate effectively across all levels of the organization
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow up independently
• Attention to detail and ability to review, understand, and retain complex information
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate from an accredited ABA-approved program
- Three years of paralegal experience in real estate, landlord-tenant law, housing law, legal services, or property management
- Knowledge of New York State landlord-tenant law and New York City court procedures
- Familiarity with homeless outreach, safe havens, supportive or affordable housing, or similar social services environments
- Proficiency with computers, common business software, document management systems, and databases
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow up independently
- Attention to detail and ability to review, understand, and retain complex information
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
What We Do
Breaking Ground is a New York nonprofit that develops, owns, and manages permanent supportive and affordable housing, alongside transitional housing and homelessness-response programs. It pairs housing with wraparound services—such as case management, health and medical-care coordination, and other supports—to help people experiencing homelessness or other vulnerability move indoors and remain stably housed. Its outreach and transitional programs also connect people living on the streets with pathways to permanent homes.
