Staff Attorney

About NYLAG:
Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services are virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of 129,000 people last year.

Job description

NYLAG’s Immigrant Protection Unit (IPU) seeks a highly motivated Spanish-speaking Staff Attorney for a permanent, full-time position. The job requires substantive knowledge and experience defending immigrants in removal proceedings including claims based on Asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), relief under VAWA, and Adjustment of Status. Admission to the New York Bar and experience representing asylum seekers is preferred. Candidates will have a proactive ability to solve problems under time pressure, a strong commitment to client-centered services, and a background in trauma-informed advocacy.

The Staff Attorney will report to a Supervising Attorney in IPU.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities will include:

• Conduct legal screenings and represent non-detained and detained immigrants, unaccompanied minors, and families in removal proceedings before NYC Immigration Court, USCIS (inc. the asylum office), New York Family Courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
• Attend court hearings, USCIS interviews, and ICE check-ins with clients as needed.
• Prepare and file forms, affidavits, other supporting documents, motions, and legal memoranda.
• Track client cases, progress of applications, and follow up for funding purposes.
• Assist Supervising Attorney in collaborating with community organizations, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Act as a liaison to partner organizations and other external stakeholders
• Participate in screening clinics, Know Your Rights, and other types of outreach events.
• Mentor interns, volunteers, and pro bonos.
• Maintain up-to-date case notes, data tracking, and files.
• Perform other various duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited school.
• Admission to the New York State bar is preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish required.
• Litigation experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of experience appearing on behalf of immigrants before the immigration court required.
• Experience in New York Family Court preferred.
• Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, judiciary and the public.
• Ability to work in a collaborative setting with other professionals.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing immigrant rights and social justice.
• Experience working with immigrant survivors of trauma.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure while managing multiple competing deadlines.
• Ability to make creative arguments for complicated cases amidst a changing legal environment.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:
☒ Full-time

Professional Level:
☒ Professional

Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $87,994-$104,544.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.