Paralegal Client Advocate, Juvenile Rights Trial Office

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Juvenile Rights Practice seeks an experienced Paralegal Client Advocate (PCA) to handle immigration matters for clients represented by its Juvenile Rights Practice. The PCA works as part of an interdisciplinary team of lawyers, social workers, and other support staff representing children ages 0 to 21 who are before NYC family courts in child protective, PINS (Persons-In-Need-of-Supervision), juvenile delinquency, and termination of parental rights matters. The PCA handles citywide immigration matters and is based across multiple Juvenile Rights Practice locations, including the Queens Trial Office and the downtown office at 49 Thomas Street. A minimum two-year commitment is required so the PCA can become a Board of Immigration Appeals Partial Accredited Representative with privileges to practice before USCIS.

Requirements

• At least one of the following: a bachelor’s degree, strongly preferred, or a paralegal certificate from an ABA-accredited paralegal program.
• Experience in and/or commitment to advocacy on behalf of low-income people, immigrants, and children.
• Demonstrated advocacy and interviewing skills.
• Experience assisting people in crisis.
• A minimum two-year commitment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of immigration law is strongly desired.
• Experience preparing immigration applications is strongly desired.
• Ability to manage a reasonable volume of cases and solve problems creatively.
• Ability to work efficiently and under time constraints to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in and value a collaborative team model.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Excellent research, writing, and computer skills.
• Proficiency in other languages, particularly Spanish, is strongly desired.

Responsibilities

• Support the compilation of application packets, conduct factual and legal research, and perform administrative tasks, including compiling country conditions for asylum applications and obtaining clients’ records from agencies.
• Assist with litigation tasks, including drafting affidavits and compiling motions.
• Develop facts by meeting with clients, contacting family members abroad, and gathering information and documentation from clients and appropriate agencies.
• Interview and assess clients and provide direct assistance under attorney supervision.
• Prepare immigration relief applications for immigrant clients, including forms I-360, I-765, I-912, I-485, I-918, and I-589.
• Complete and manage a reasonable volume of individual immigration applications.
• Respond to and address emergent immigration policies affecting clients.
• Maintain and update the case management database.
• Liaise with court officials and other stakeholders to ensure clients’ immigration needs are met.
• Assist with motion practice requiring advanced writing skills and legal understanding.
• Monitor compliance with court orders and support clients through the immigration process.
• Support organizational initiatives to create a uniform practice across all boroughs.
• Collaborate and communicate in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Participate in training modules and contribute to the professional development of interdisciplinary teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid vacation
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility and access to other state and federal loan forgiveness programs; eligible New York residents may qualify for state loan repayment assistance depending on years of practice.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time