About NYLAG
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. During COVID-19, most of our services are virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 350 impacted the lives of nearly 113,000 people last year.
Job description
The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks a highly motivated Spanish or French-speaking Staff Attorney for a full-time position. The job requires substantive knowledge and experience working with immigrants in removal proceedings, with a variety of defenses from removal including Asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), 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 family units and individuals in removal proceedings seeking protection in the U.S.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities will include:- Represent non-detained immigrants, unaccompanied minors, and family units in removal proceedings before EOIR to seek relief from removal, which include asylum, withholding and relief under the Convention Against Torture. Represent individuals in Family Court, as needed, to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for affirmative matters relevant to removal defense.
- Conduct legal screenings and provide advice, consultation, advocacy, and brief services to potential clients in NYLAG’s office, at clinical programs in the community, and in detention facilities as necessary.
- Prepare and file forms, affidavits, other supporting documents, motions, and legal memoranda for submission to USCIS, the Immigration Court, and New York Family Court.
- Prepare and file appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals, Administrative Appeals Office, and other appellate bodies 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.
- Participate in screening clinics, Know Your Rights, and other types of outreach events.
- Perform other various duties, including providing trainings, and mentoring of volunteers and pro bono.
Qualifications- Admission to the New York State bar is preferred.
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited school.
- Fluency in Spanish or French required.
- Minimum 1 year of experience working in removal defense 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 the intersection of criminal law 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.
- Ability to set expectations for clients who are not eligible for any relief while nonetheless providing competent representation before the Immigration Court.
NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women,
people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.
Employment type:
☒ Full-time
☐ Part-time
☐ Temporary
Professional Level:
☐ Entry Level
☒ Professional
☐ Managerial
Salary Range:
NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective
bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between
$79,045-$84,452.
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability,
commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.
Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.
Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.
NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.
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Last updated on Dec 17, 2024