Assoc Counsel, Immigrant Rights & Crim Justic

LatinoJustice PRLDEF•New York, NY

29d•$0 - $88,833•Hybrid

About The Position

LatinoJustice PRLDEF uses and challenges law to create a more just and equitable society. They transform harmful systems, empower communities, fight for racial justice, and grow the next generation of leaders. Headquartered in New York City, LatinoJustice focuses on six pillars of work: Economic Justice (education, employment, and housing), Immigrant Rights, Voting Rights, Puerto Rico, Policing and Prison Reform, and Leadership Development. Their Racial Justice Project engages in advocacy and litigation on behalf of Afro-Latino and Indigenous-Latino members of their communities. LatinoJustice utilizes litigation, advocacy, and community education and empowerment to achieve strategic priorities for the Latino community. They have a history of groundbreaking litigation, including establishing a right to bilingual education, providing bilingual ballots, and fighting anti-immigrant ordinances. Current litigation includes demanding law enforcement transparency, advocating for fair pay for home care workers, defending school diversity efforts, challenging local law enforcement cooperation with immigration authorities, and challenging redistricting plans that dilute minority votes.

Requirements

J.D. degree and one (1) to two (2) years of legal experience for Associate Counsel.
Admission to practice law in good standing is required. Admission to New York State Bar preferred. Admission to other primary state bars designated by LatinoJustice will be considered.
Previous experience in immigrant rights and/or criminal justice reform litigation and advocacy required.
Excellent legal analytical and research skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to speak publicly at both formal and extemporaneous presentations.
Strong and engaging interpersonal skills and highly collaborative. Comfortable and effective at managing challenging conversations and situations.
Detail-oriented individual; able to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities.
Commitment to values of transparency, respect, integrity, accountability, equity, and inclusive approach in their work and interactions with others.
Ability to uphold a strong level of confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding
Demonstrated ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively
Self-motivated, diligent, and able to meet strict deadlines while under pressure
Creativity, determination, and deep passion for LJP’s work
Ability to communicate effectively and fluently with a predominantly Spanish speaking client community, including the ability to create community education and communication resources in Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a wide range of federal, state, and administrative litigation, including affirmative, law reform litigation, in the immigrant rights and criminal justice area.
Coordinate and lead immigrant rights and criminal justice cases undertaken with other nonprofit immigrants’ rights and criminal justice organizations and pro bono co-counsel.
Researching and drafting complaints, pleadings, briefs, and legal memoranda; engaging in discovery and motion practice; and conducting evidentiary hearings and oral arguments in the trial and appellate courts.
Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and client development.
Play a leading role in the advocacy work of the Litigation Department on immigrant rights and criminal justice, which includes researching and drafting reports and op-eds in collaboration with LJP’s Advocacy and Communications departments.
Work internally and with other advocacy organizations and elected officials to promote or oppose legislation, regulations, and public agency guidance under the direction of the Chief of Advocacy, including to present testimony before legislative bodies and administrative agencies.
Participate in public education on immigrant rights and criminal justice issues.