Immigration Attorney, Detained Removal Defense

Brooklyn Defender Services•New York, NY

48d•Onsite

About The Position

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) is seeking an Immigration Attorney to join the detained removal defense team within its Immigration Practice. BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality, with a focus on the intersections of legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty. BDS represents thousands of people each year with diverse legal needs, providing zealous legal defense and interdisciplinary services from attorneys, social workers, and advocates for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. The Immigration Practice is a collaborative team of over 80 staff members. Attorneys on the detained removal defense team represent low-income noncitizens held in immigration jails, as well as those in non-detained removal proceedings, complex USCIS applications, appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal circuit courts, and federal court actions.

Requirements

New York State Bar admission or Bar admission in any U.S. state or territory and ability to obtain admission in NYS.
Minimum two years of experience in immigration law. Relevant experience may include law school clinics and/or internships.
Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate and connect with people with varied backgrounds, identities and experiences.
Effective research, writing and courtroom advocacy skills.
Highly organized, attentive to detail and cognizant of deadlines.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to adapt to urgent situations.

Nice To Haves

Spoken and written fluency in Spanish highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Represent noncitizen clients in detained and non-detained removal proceedings and immigration appeals.
Litigate issues including detention, removability, and eligibility for immigration relief.
Make regular appearances in immigration court and appear in person when required.
Maintain consistent communication with clients including meeting with detained clients in person at immigration jails when necessary.
Effectively navigate a demanding caseload where hearings and other case-related deadlines are short and may be changed with little notice.
Conduct complex legal research and writing on a range of removability, relief, and appellate issues.
File applications for immigration benefits with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, respond to Requests for Evidence, attend USCIS interviews, and file administrative appeals.
Collaborate with supervisors, attorneys, social workers, paralegals, and administrative staff to fully develop cases and build trusting relationships with clients.
Coordinate with staff of other departments concerning overall legal strategy and client needs.
Maintain case files, notes, and court appearance data on case management and document management systems in accordance with professional responsibility rules and BDS policies.
Occasionally, in collaboration with federal court specialists, represent clients in habeas corpus, mandamus, and other actions before federal district courts and circuit courts.
Additional duties as assigned.