Application Guide

How to Apply for Case-Handling Paralegal, Housing Unit, CAMBA Legal Services

at CAMBA

🏢 About CAMBA

CAMBA is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that provides over 180 integrated programs—from housing to legal services—to nearly 80,000 low-income New Yorkers, with a strong focus on immigrants and families in poverty. Its legal arm, CAMBA Legal Services, offers free civil legal aid in housing, immigration, consumer law, and more, combining direct representation with impact litigation and advocacy. Working here means joining a mission-driven community dedicated to building an inclusive New York City, where your work directly helps vulnerable tenants stay in their homes.

About This Role

As a Case-Handling Paralegal in the Housing Unit, you will be the backbone of tenant defense: interviewing clients, drafting pleadings and motions, preparing cases for housing court, and connecting tenants to vital resources. You'll work under the supervision of attorneys to fight evictions and preserve affordable housing for low-income New Yorkers, often in fast-paced, high-stakes situations. This role is ideal for someone who wants hands-on legal experience while making a tangible difference in housing justice.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual team huddle, then shift to client intake calls, drafting motions for an upcoming court deadline, and coordinating with attorneys on case strategy. You’ll spend time updating case files, communicating with opposing counsel or court personnel, and connecting clients to social services—all while managing the urgency of eviction cases. The work is demanding but deeply rewarding, knowing each task helps keep a family in their home.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who CAMBA Is Looking For

  • Paralegal certificate or equivalent experience, with 1–2 years of case-handling in housing, eviction defense, or a related legal services setting.
  • Deep commitment to social justice and experience working with low-income, immigrant, or diverse urban communities; bilingual Spanish/English strongly preferred.
  • Strong organizational skills to manage a high-volume caseload, meet court deadlines, and maintain detailed case files in a remote environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to draft legal documents and communicate empathetically with clients in crisis.

📝 Tips for Applying to CAMBA

1

Tailor your resume to highlight any housing law experience—even internships or volunteer work—and explicitly mention any familiarity with New York City Housing Court procedures or HRA rental assistance programs.

2

In your cover letter, connect your personal or professional background to CAMBA’s mission; they value candidates who understand the challenges of poverty and immigration in NYC.

3

If you are bilingual, state your language proficiency clearly and provide examples of how you’ve used it in a legal or advocacy setting.

4

Demonstrate your ability to work remotely by mentioning specific tools you’ve used for case management, document sharing, and virtual client meetings (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Clio, Google Workspace).

5

Address your ability to handle a fast-paced, high-volume workload by quantifying your experience (e.g., 'managed 50+ active cases weekly') and emphasizing your calm under pressure.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

1. Your commitment to housing justice and how CAMBA’s holistic approach resonates with your career goals. 2. Concrete examples of paralegal skills: drafting motions, client intake, court filing, and case management. 3. Your experience working with low-income or immigrant clients, and any bilingual abilities. 4. How you thrive in a remote, collaborative team environment while managing deadlines independently.

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Learn about CAMBA’s Housing Unit and its specific programs, such as eviction prevention and anti-harassment initiatives, by browsing their website and recent press releases.
  • → Familiarize yourself with New York City housing laws and recent updates to rent regulations (e.g., Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019).
  • → Research CAMBA’s broader impact and funding sources to understand how the legal services fit into their 180+ programs.
  • → Look up recent impact litigation or advocacy wins by CAMBA Legal Services to reference in your application or interview.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you handle a distressed tenant facing eviction who is reluctant to share information?
2 Describe your experience with NYC Housing Court procedures, including filing and responding to motions.
3 How do you prioritize tasks when multiple attorneys need your assistance on urgent matters?
4 Can you discuss a time you had to navigate a complex social services system to help a client?
5 What draws you to CAMBA’s holistic model, and how would you contribute to a multidisciplinary team?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t mention housing law or CAMBA’s mission—this role requires a demonstrated passion for tenant advocacy.
  • Overlooking the remote aspect: failing to show you can self-manage and collaborate effectively without in-person supervision.
  • Neglecting to highlight any experience with low-income or immigrant communities, which is central to CAMBA’s client base.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to CAMBA!

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