Staff Attorney, Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative

AFSC job board•Newark, NJ

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Staff Attorney will be part of the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative, a publicly funded project that represents immigrants in removal proceedings, including people in detention and people living in their communities. The attorney provides direct legal representation to immigrants in removal proceedings or otherwise facing removal, including before immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and federal courts. The role includes preparing and maintaining cases, collaborating with AFSC social workers and other stakeholders, contributing to policy and advocacy work, documenting project experiences, and conducting presentations on immigration issues. When representing detained clients, the attorney monitors detention-center and jail conditions and access, as well as enforcement trends, for reporting and advocacy. The position is based in Newark, New Jersey, with a hybrid schedule requiring at least one day per week in the office. It is a regular, full-time, represented, exempt salaried position with no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Admission to a state bar; admission to practice in New Jersey is preferred.
At least one year of experience with immigration law and procedures.
Excellent legal skills and understanding of movement-lawyering principles.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking.
Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.
Ability to communicate effectively and build mutually respectful relationships with coworkers, clients, the public, and donors.
Self-motivation, attention to detail, organization, and ability to prioritize workload and assignments.
Familiarity with software applications in Windows and cloud-based environments.
Experience with Microsoft Office and related technology.
Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and travel as required.
Ability to work under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
Respect for Quaker values and testimonies, and knowledge of and support for AFSC principles and philosophy, including nonviolence and the intrinsic worth of every individual.
Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender, and religious diversity, and familiarity with nonviolent approaches to problem solving.
Ability to organize, plan ahead, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
Demonstrated dedication to fairness, equity, and inclusion across race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.
Regular attendance and punctuality.

Nice To Haves

Removal-defense experience.
Bilingual English/Spanish or English/French ability.
Admission to practice in New Jersey.

Responsibilities

Provide in-depth consultations and legal representation to indigent, unrepresented immigrants before the Elizabeth, Newark, and other Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, federal District Courts, and Courts of Appeals.
Draft habeas petitions, complaints, motions, briefs, and other federal court filings under senior-attorney supervision, addressing matters including due process, unlawful detention, and agency inaction.
Participate in meetings with government representatives, jail staff, and service providers.
Document project experiences and help prepare AFSC quarterly reports and reports to funding sources.
Manage a caseload and maintain organized client files, including applications, letters, supporting documentation, and follow-up work.
Maintain client and case information in AFSC case management systems.
Work with AFSC social workers to address clients’ social-service needs.
Collaborate with AFSC staff and other stakeholders on policy and advocacy concerning issues raised by clients and constituents.
Conduct presentations on immigration issues.
For detained-client representation, monitor detention-center and jail conditions and access, and other enforcement trends, for reports and advocacy activities.
Participate in AFSC staff meetings and case review.
Maintain regular attendance and punctuality, operate safely, and follow policies and procedures.
Perform other duties and projects as assigned.