Staff Attorney – Immigration Law Unit, Detained Removal Defense

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

38d • $84,000 - $152,500

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice is seeking staff attorneys for our
city-wide Immigration Law Unit (ILU) to assist with detained removal defense.

As part of an initiative called the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project
(NYIFUP), ILU represents detained clients in removal and bond proceedings before
the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, related proceedings
before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and,
when appropriate, in Family Court proceedings. NYIFUP is the nation’s first
universal representation program for immigrants detained by Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is a collaboration between Legal Aid, Brooklyn
Defender Services, and The Bronx Defenders. ILU also represents NYIFUP clients
who are released from custody and continue to meet income eligibility
requirements.

ILU is a recognized leader in providing high-quality representation to
non-citizens in all five boroughs of New York City and surrounding counties. Our
staff of almost 100 attorneys, social workers, and paralegals across six
different projects and initiatives works collaboratively to provide
client-centered, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive legal services.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar, pending admission to the New York State Bar, or admission to any other state bar with immediate ability to waive into the New York State Bar
• Demonstrated commitment to representing or working with individuals from marginalized communities
• Excellent writing, analytical, oral advocacy, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team and manage a high volume of cases
• Ability to work with pro bono attorneys, law student interns, and volunteers
• Relevant clinical program, internship, or work experience preferred
• Applicants must be creative, flexible, and highly motivated

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in languages other than English is preferred
• Immigration Law experience, including law school clinics and/or internships, or at least two years representing indigent clients generally

Responsibilities

• Represent detained noncitizens in removal proceedings in immigration courts, before the Board of Immigration Appeals and in Family Court proceedings
• Represent non-detained clients released on bond
• Engage in affirmative litigation on behalf of non-citizen New Yorkers
• Provide individualized consultations to detained noncitizens at detention centers in upstate New York, New Jersey, and other locations as necessary. Travel may be required in the early morning, evenings, and weekends
• Some weekend and night work may be necessary
• Develop skills and knowledge from ILU staff on litigation matters through trainings
• Work with pro bono counsel on assigned pro bono cases
• Work collaboratively with other organizations and partners
• Represent and promote the work of the office, the Civil Practice, and The Legal Aid Society in the community
• Maintain, organize, and update case files and case management database (LawManager)
• Maintain a full caseload of clients
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more.
• The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.
• Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed