Staff Attorney

NYLAG•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG’s staff of 410 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year. NYLAG’s Immigrant Protection Unit (IPU) seeks a highly motivated Spanish-speaking Staff Attorney for a permanent, full-time position. The job requires substantive knowledge and experience working with immigrants in removal proceedings with a variety of defenses from removal including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, relief under VAWA, and Adjustment of Status. Admission to the New York Bar and experience representing asylum seekers is preferred. Candidates will have a proactive ability to solve problems under time pressure, a strong commitment to clients, and a background in trauma-informed advocacy. The Staff Attorney will work within the Immigrant Protection Unit at NYLAG under the supervision of an attorney focused on the representation of individuals and family units in removal proceedings seeking protection in the U.S.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from an accredited school.
Fluency in Spanish required.
Litigation experience required.
Minimum 1 year of experience appearing on behalf of immigrants before the immigration court required.
Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, judiciary and the public.
Ability to work in a collaborative setting with other professionals.
Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights, criminal justice, and/or social justice issues.
Experience working with survivors of trauma and immigration law.
Ability to work independently and under pressure while managing multiple competing deadlines.
Ability to make creative arguments for complicated cases and cases that do not have a clear path to relief.

Nice To Haves

Admission to the New York State bar is preferred.
Experience representing asylum seekers is preferred.
Experience in New York Family Court preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal screenings and represent non-detained and detained immigrants, unaccompanied minors, and families in removal proceedings before the NYC Immigration Court.
Attend court hearings, USCIS interviews, and ICE check ins with clients as needed.
Prepare and file forms, affidavits, other supporting documents, motions, and legal memoranda for submission to USCIS, the Immigration Court, the New York Family Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and Federal Courts, as needed.
Track client cases, progress of applications, and follow up for funding purposes.
Assist Supervising Attorney in collaborating with community organizations, partners, and funders.
Act as a liaison to partner organizations and other external stakeholders
Participate in screening clinics, Know Your Rights, and other types of outreach events.
Mentor interns, volunteers, and pro bonos.
Perform other various duties as needed.