Staff Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

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. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description:
NYLAG seeks a highly motivated, full‐time staff attorney to support our work representing individuals and families in applications for immigration relief before USCIS and EOIR, and will support our work with pro bono and community-based clinics. The staff attorney will contact individuals who are eligible for assistance, field referrals from partners, conduct screenings, make appointments, prepare affirmative applications for immigration status and relief, defend clients in removal proceedings and detention, and track and collect data. Applicants must be prepared to handle a high volume of correspondence and cases, and interact with clients in a trauma-informed and professional manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct legal screenings and represent non-detained and detained immigrants, unaccompanied minors, and families in removal proceedings before the NYC Immigration Courts and across other nearby jurisdictions as necessary. 
• 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 for submission to USCIS, the Immigration Court, the New York Family Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and Federal Courts, as needed.
• Screen for and manage application assistance clinics including for naturalization and employment authorization.
• 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 bono attorneys.
• 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 or pending admission is required.
• Fluency in Spanish or other relevant community language required.
• 1-3 years of immigration experience strongly preferred, but not required.
• Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks and creatively problem solve.
• Experience working with immigrant communities of color, including LGBTQIA+, youth, and survivors of violence.
• Excellent written, oral and analytical skills.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Commitment to social justice and anti-racism.

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 $90,262-$100,532.

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.

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