Organization 

Founded in 2013, The Waterfront Project, Inc. (WFP), is a legal help center and HUD-approved counseling agency. WFP provides free civil legal representation, rental housing counseling, and financial counseling to Hudson County residents who are asset-limited, income-constrained, homeless, or otherwise disenfranchised. Currently, WFP’s primary focus is pursuing creative strategies to allow low- and moderate-income people to stay in their homes and communities, especially in neighborhoods experiencing rapid development and gentrification.  

For more information, please visit www.thewaterfrontproject.org. 

WFP’s foreclosure program provides one-on-one support to homeowners across all 12 Hudson County municipalities who are at risk of foreclosure or already in some stage of mortgage delinquency. HUD-certified foreclosure counselors assist clients with default mitigation, loan modification and loss mitigation, housing stabilization, and legal assistance. The Hudson County program serves adult homeowners, nearly all of whom fall at or below 80% of Area Median Income.

Position

The Part-Time Foreclosure Attorney provides civil legal services to Hudson County homeowners facing foreclosure or mortgage-related legal distress. Working closely with WFP’s foreclosure counselors and program leadership, the Attorney will provide legal representation and advocacy in foreclosure matters, including legal representation in court proceedings, drafting and filing motions, answering complaints, and negotiating stipulations and settlements.

Responsibilities

The Part-Time Foreclosure Attorney will be engaged in direct representation and will collaborate closely with WFP’s foreclosure counselors, housing counseling team, and program leadership. The Attorney will also be expected to:

• Provide advice, counsel, and direct representation to eligible Hudson County homeowners facing foreclosure or related mortgage distress;
• Represent clients in foreclosure court proceedings and related civil matters, as appropriate;
• Conduct legal intake and evaluate clients’ legal needs, eligibility, and stage of foreclosure in coordination with WFP’s foreclosure counseling team;
• Review foreclosure complaints, mortgage and loan documents, notices, correspondence, and other relevant case materials;
• Draft and file pleadings, answers, motions, certifications, and other court documents, including emergent applications when necessary;
• Answer foreclosure complaints and develop appropriate legal defenses and case strategies;
• Gather and evaluate evidence and prepare exhibits and other materials necessary for court proceedings and negotiations;
• Negotiate with lenders, servicers, opposing counsel, and other parties, including negotiating stipulations, settlements, and other resolutions designed to prevent foreclosure and preserve homeownership where possible;
• Coordinate with WFP foreclosure counselors regarding loan modification, loss mitigation, NJHMFA FMAP applications, financial circumstances, and other non-legal interventions affecting the client’s case;
• Provide legal assistance to approximately 10 households during the contract period in accordance with WFP’s Hudson County foreclosure program objectives;
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes, documents, outcomes, and other information in WFP’s case management system to support program reporting and contractual requirements;
• Participate in foreclosure prevention clinics, community education, or other outreach activities as requested;
• Collaborate with community-based organizations, legal service providers, housing counselors, and other referral partners; and
• Stay current on developments in New Jersey foreclosure law, mortgage servicing practices, court procedures, and other legal issues affecting program clients.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in New Jersey required;
• Litigation experience required; experience representing clients in foreclosure, mortgage, consumer, housing, or other civil litigation strongly preferred;
• Knowledge of New Jersey foreclosure law and procedure, New Jersey Court Rules, and applicable rules of evidence strongly preferred;
• Experience with foreclosure pleadings, motion practice, settlement negotiations, or lender/servicer advocacy preferred;
• Strong organizational, research, analytical, and oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to manage a caseload independently, meet court and filing deadlines, and maintain accurate case records;
• Demonstrated commitment to providing high-quality legal services to low-income and underrepresented communities;
• Ability to work in a nonprofit environment, both independently and as part of a team;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and/or ability to learn new technologies and case management systems;
• Ability to work with underrepresented communities, including clients of diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds; and
• Bilingual skills, such as English/Spanish or Arabic/English, preferred but not required.

Pay and Benefits

This is a part-time position (approximately 23 hours per week), with work occurring primarily during normal business hours, though court appearances, client needs, or foreclosure prevention clinics may occasionally require schedule flexibility. The position is budgeted at $48,431.43 annually for 23 hours per week. This is a hybrid position, based out of Jersey City, with flexibility to work from home when court appearances and client needs permit. Employment contingent on continued program funding.

How to Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to Elizabeth Hurley at ehurley@thewaterfrontproject.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No calls, please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WFP is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, veterans, people with disabilities, and people with lived experience of housing insecurity are encouraged to apply. WFP does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, creed, nationality, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, civil union status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical cellular or blood trait, military status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Do you feel like you don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At The Waterfront Project, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply anyway—you may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.