Supervising Attorney

About NYLAG

Founded in 1990, New York Legal Assistance Group (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. NYLAG’s staff of 410 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description

NYLAG seeks a highly motivated Supervising Attorney for a full-time position. The job requires broad substantive knowledge and experience representing immigrants in detained and non-detained removal proceedings, including bond and individual merits hearings with a variety of defenses including Asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, Cancellation of Removal, Waivers in Removal, collateral relief before USCIS, and Adjustment of Status. Admission to the New York Bar and experience representing asylum seekers is required. Candidates will have a proactive ability to solve problems under time pressure, a strong commitment to clients, and a background in trauma-informed advocacy.

The Supervising Attorney will work within the Immigrant Protection Unit at NYLAG under the supervision of the Associate Directors and Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Supervising Attorney’s responsibilities will include:

• Provide substantive supervision on removal defense matters to a team of attorneys providing extensive pro se assistance and full representation to immigrants at high risk for removal, including in active removal proceedings, appeals and post removal order relief.
• Develop legal strategies in partnership with clients and staff attorneys on avoiding adverse consequences in immigration court and in ICE encounters.
• Maintain a limited individual caseload.
• Work alongside Unit leadership to train and support staff, conduct outreach, and serve immigrant communities.
• Participate in screenings at clinical programs in the community, Know Your Rights, and other types of outreach events.
• Represent NYLAG to our funders and collaborative partners by attending conferences, trainings, and sharing materials.
• Track client intakes, screenings, cases, progress of applications, and follow up for funding purposes.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited school required.
• Admission to a state bar; New York State bar preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of legal immigration experience required; at least 3 of which must be in removal defense.
• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience working with survivors of trauma and the intersection of criminal law and immigration law.
• Experience with petitions to federal courts, including writs of habeas, mandamus, and petitions for review, preferred.
• Experience supervising or mentoring other advocates preferred.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure while managing multiple competing deadlines.
• 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 immigrant rights, racial and social justice issues.
• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable but not required.

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

☒ Temporary

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 $123,277 - $147,223.

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.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

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.