U.S. Litigation Staff Attorney/ Senior Staff Attorney

OPPORTUNITY

IRAP is seeking an attorney with 3+ years of legal experience, including substantial federal court litigation experience, to join the U.S. Litigation Department starting in September 2026. An attorney with 8+ years will be considered a Senior Staff Attorney. The attorney will be supervised by the Litigation Department’s Senior Director or Deputy Director.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Manage, supervise, lead, and engage in all aspects of litigation and litigation‑related advocacy as appropriate for your level of experience, including case development and filing, legal and factual research, client counseling and interviews, motions practice, discovery, resource creation, policy advocacy, and media advocacy. IRAP’s U.S. Litigation Department develops and brings a range of cases in lead counsel capacity, including Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional challenges, class actions, FOIA, and mandamus cases. Collaborate with IRAP staff members in other program departments to ensure that litigation is supporting and leveraging the work of other departments, including policy, legal services, and communications. Represent IRAP in external relationships, including with other advocates, pro‑bono firms, media, and donors. Participate in tasks that support the organization, including by joining hiring committees, participating in cross‑departmental task forces, and providing feedback on organization‑wide issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Law degree and license to practice law in the U.S. state from which the candidate will perform work for the position. If a candidate is moving to New York for the position and is not already licensed to practice in New York, willingness to apply for the New York bar as soon as practicable. Experience: Three or more years of relevant legal experience after law school, including substantial federal court litigation experience, that prepare the candidate to counsel clients, manage litigation‑related projects, draft complex briefs, initiate and lead litigation (with appropriate support based on experience level), and develop additional complex litigation skills. Prior experience working with marginalized and/or displaced communities; prior experience using interpreters for client communications preferred. Values, Competencies, and Skills: Litigation and advocacy skills appropriate for the experience level, including in litigation and project development; litigation and project management; client management, research and writing, discovery; oral advocacy; media and public advocacy; case supervision. Commitment to developing IRAP’s core competencies, including equity mindset, initiative, and critical thinking. Commitment to teamwork. Ability to work collaboratively and communicate clearly and respectfully with people of different backgrounds, including IRAP staff across the organization, other advocates, and pro‑bono firms. Eagerness to support team members as needed, including a willingness to travel as case and department needs arise. Commitment to centering displaced people and equity principles in our work. We strongly encourage applications from attorneys with lived experience of displacement and/or marginalization. Self‑motivated, diligent, and able to manage competing deadlines under pressure and work on fast turnarounds when needed. Openness to accepting and providing constructive feedback. Write coherently and incorporate feedback, with an interest in developing writing skills; and producing good writing; identify, analyze, and research complex issues; problem‑solve creatively and adopt creative approaches to case development and advocacy. Excellent oral and written English communication skills, including communication with clients in a culturally sensitive manner. Additional languages are a plus, particularly Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Somali, and/or Spanish. Familiarity with the Immigration and Nationality Act, refugee processing, and/or a practical understanding of immigration law are a strong plus. Experience or demonstrated interest in incorporating principles of movement lawyering is a strong plus.

JOB-RELATED REQUIREMENTS

The position is preferably based in New York City, but Washington D.C.-based or remote work within the U.S. is also possible. If remote, the position must be: (1) located within commuting distance to mailing facilities, printing facilities, and an office supply store; (2) located within a reasonable distance and fare to all federal district courts in which IRAP routinely litigates; (3) available to work in the EST time zone as needed. This position requires travel as needed to locations in which IRAP files litigation, which may include New York, California, Maryland, and D.C. Remote staff are expected to travel to the New York City office four times a year. NY city and D.C.-based staff may work a hybrid in‑person/remote schedule.

BENEFITS

Fully paid family health insurance Retirement options Extensive PTO (20 or more vacation days & 19 org‑wide holidays) Comprehensive leave time for sickness Disability and parenting (5 months of parental leave) Reimbursement for work‑from‑home equipment Generous opportunities for professional development $88,795 - $111,114 a year This role is subject to a collective bargaining agreement and is paid on a step scale based on years of work experience, education, and internal equity. The salary range starts at $88,795 (for an attorney with three years of relevant litigation experience). An attorney with nine years of relevant experience will be paid $111,114.

TO APPLY

Please apply through our website's careers page and upload/ attach the following: An updated resume. Cover letter. writing sample (no more than 10 pages long). At least three references. IRAP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, IRAP will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please refer to your request in the cover letter. IRAP is an equal‑opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. IRAP does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all local, state, and federal laws related to the Fair Chance Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr Project International Refugee Assistance Project