Staff Attorney, Immigration Law Unit – Immigrant Youth Project

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

4d • $86,520 - $157,075

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice seeks a Staff Attorney for the citywide Immigration Law Unit’s Youth Project. The Immigration Law Unit provides free, comprehensive immigration services to low-income New Yorkers, including representation in immigration proceedings, before USCIS and the Board of Immigration Appeals, and in federal court. Its interdisciplinary staff work across projects to provide client-centered legal services.

The Staff Attorney will represent undocumented youth and unaccompanied immigrant children in New York Immigration Courts, before USCIS, and in Family Courts in New York City and surrounding counties. Matters may include special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS), asylum, U/T visas, and other forms of relief. The attorney will collaborate with the Youth Project, the Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice, the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, and foster care agency personnel. The role may also involve mentoring law students, pro bono attorneys, and volunteers.

The position includes direct representation in removal proceedings and affirmative cases; representation at asylum or credible fear interviews; obtaining SIJS predicate orders in Family Court; community and school forums and workshops; and professional development and training for advocates. The role requires New York State Bar admission, at least two years of immigration law and trial experience, and a commitment to representing low-income and disadvantaged clients.

The salary range is $86,520–$157,075. The Legal Aid Society offers health insurance, paid vacation, disability insurance, and life insurance. The organization is a qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and New York residents may be eligible for state loan repayment assistance depending on years of practice. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, with a stated exception for a letter documenting employment status for Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking a TN visa.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• At least two years of immigration law and trial experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to representing low-income, disadvantaged clients.
• Excellent writing, analytical, oral advocacy, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team and manage a high volume of cases.
• Ability to work with pro bono attorneys, law student interns, and volunteers.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in languages other than English; desirable but not required.
• Experience working with children and youth; highly desirable.
• Demonstrated commitment to representing or working with individuals from marginalized communities.

Responsibilities

• Screen and directly represent immigrant youth in removal proceedings in Immigration Court, and handle some affirmative cases.
• Represent clients in asylum or credible fear interviews at Asylum Offices.
• Appear in Family Courts in New York City’s five boroughs and surrounding counties, including Suffolk and Nassau counties, to obtain predicate orders for special immigrant juvenile status.
• Build on relationships with the Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice staff attorneys and others to meet the needs of undocumented youth in foster care.
• Conduct forums and workshops on immigration issues in immigrant communities and public schools.
• Participate in continuous professional development.
• Attend and provide trainings to advocates throughout the city and in Family and Immigration Courts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid vacation
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Eligibility to take advantage of Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other state and federal loan forgiveness programs
• New York residents may be eligible for state loan repayment assistance, depending on years of practice

What This Job Offers

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