NYCHA's Law Department operates and oversees the Robert L. Doan Honors Program, which consists of two separate programs: a two-year placement for new law school graduates at an annual salary of approximately $64,081, subject to collective bargaining increases; and a summer internship for law students at an expected salary of $481 per week.

The Robert L. Doan Honors Program offers selected law graduates and law students the unique opportunity to practice in litigation and transactional areas, and to work on a variety of important projects under the direction of seasoned attorneys. The types of assignments will vary, depending on the business needs of the Law Department. In the past few years, the majority of assignments has been CPLR Article 78 proceedings to defend NYCHA’s determinations to terminate tenancies. Other litigation assignments include engaging in motion practice, handling administrative hearings concerning tenancy and employee disciplinary issues, responding to discrimination investigations, and researching housing and employment policies. The Honors Program also exposes law graduates and students to contracts and real estate law.

Working in a very collegial and supportive work environment, both law graduates and student interns will be expected to manage their own matters and will have the opportunity to hone their drafting, research, communication and analytical skills. With a professional and administrative support staff of approximately 170, the Law Department provides virtually all legal services required by NYCHA in the accomplishment of its mission. The Department has discrete units that handle appeals, contracts and corporate affairs, commercial litigation, discrimination complaints, employee discipline cases, landlord/tenant cases, public information requests, real estate and development matters, administrative tenant hearings, and tort cases, and has specialists in labor and employment law and health, safety and environmental affairs.

NYCHA is no longer accepting application for the 2012 summer internship or post-graduate Honors Programs. Students interested in applying for the 2013 summer internship or post-graduate Honors Programs who attend Benjamin Cardozo Law School, Brooklyn Law School, Fordham Law School, New York University Law School, or St. John's University School of Law must apply through the on-campus interview program at their school. Students at other schools may apply by submitting a cover letter, indicating the program for which they are applying and explaining their interest, together with a resume, two writing samples and a current law school transcript to:

Joan Sorbello, Esq.
Coordinator of the Robert L. Doan Honors Program
250 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10007

Applications for the 2013 Robert L. Doan Honors Programs for new law graduates and summer interns must be received by NYCHA by September 7, 2012.