Staff Attorney

​​​​​​The Council on American-Islamic Relations, New York (CAIR-NY) is a chapter of the nation’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. CAIR-NY is a non-profit organization that protects the civil liberties of Muslim Americans. We serve Muslim New Yorkers through legal advocacy, education, media relations, civic engagement, and grassroots mobilization. CAIR-NY also seeks to build coalitions for justice and mutual understanding.

The New York chapter is one of the busiest and most dynamic of CAIR’s nationwide affiliates, defending, representing, and educating over one million Muslims in the New York area. As a first line of defense, CAIR-NY protects New Yorkers who have experienced Islamophobia, discrimination, harassment, hate crimes, and more.

The Staff Attorney will focus on CAIR-NY's civil rights practice, which includes advocacy and litigation for victims of hate crimes, those facing discrimination in employment, school, airports, law enforcement interactions, public accommodations and other areas.

Schedule Type:

Full Time

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate legal intake process, case selection, case referral;
• Participate in all aspects of litigation including, but not limited to, client interviews, factual investigation, legal research, discovery, preparation of legal documents, negotiations, trials in both state and federal courts, and appear at administrative hearings;
• Conduct community education and outreach including Know-Your-Rights presentations and clinics on issues of discrimination and law enforcement interactions at mosques, community centers, and college campuses.
• Build or maintain relationships with clients, affected communities, elected officials, law firms, law schools and legal clinics, allied legal groups, and other key stakeholders to advance the organization’s legal and policy work.
• Assist other staff in the production of internal and external reports

All CAIR-NY staff are required to assist in general duties such as answering phones, weekly outreach, fundraising, and other office tasks.

Required Qualifications:

• Licensed member of New York Bar
• Minimum of 1-2 years of litigation experience, focus on employment discrimination is a plus
• Knowledge of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (especially Title VII) and First Amendment. Knowledge of EEOC and other administrative procedures
• Passion for the mission of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
• Excellent research skills, oral and written communication, and comfortable with public speaking
• High degree of initiative and willingness to work hard and collaborate with others
• Creativity, demonstrated passion for civil rights work, determination, and a positive attitude
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to follow through on various ongoing and newly assigned casework
• Familiarity/cultural competency, and experience interacting with Muslim audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with urgent law enforcement encounters and student disciplinary matters
• Arabic, Farsi, or Urdu proficiency
• Experience working with non-profit organizations

Reporting Relationship & Location

The Staff Attorney will directly report to the Supervising Attorney. The position is located in our New York City office. Staff is currently on a hybrid in-person and remote work schedule.

Compensation

• The salary range is between $70,000 and $85,000, depending upon experience
• CAIR-NY is invested in the professional development of its staff. Staff attorney will have access to mentors through the CAIR legal network and annual legal trainings.
• The organization will reimburse attorney bar fees and provide access to CLE courses
• Benefits package includes, but not limited to, paid vacation, sick days, health care options and 401k.

To Apply

Please submit (1) a cover letter discussing your interest in the position (1 page), (2) your resume, (3) a brief example of your writing (max 10 pages), and (4) the names and contact information of three references via email to Burhan Carroll at View email address on click.appcast.io. The subject line of your email should include your first and last name and “Staff Attorney Application.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.