Staff Attorney, NYLAG Immigrant Protection Unit

Founded in 1990, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is a leading not-for-profit civil legal services organization advocating for adults, children, and families that are experiencing poverty or have low income. We tackle the legal challenges and systematic barriers that threaten our clients’ economic stability, well-being, and safety. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and constantly improving how we respond to systemic issues of racism that affect our clients in their pursuit of justice.

We address emerging and urgent needs with comprehensive, free civil legal services, direct representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, financial counseling, medical-legal partnerships, and community education and partnerships. Last year, we affected the lives of 90,800 people.

Position:

The Staff Attorney will provide legal representation and legal advocacy to non-citizens experiencing poverty who are in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court, have previously been ordered removed by an Immigration Judge, or have complicated affirmative matters before the US Citizenship and Immigration Service. A substantial portion of these clients will be Spanish-speaking and will not be proficient in English. The Staff Attorney will also conduct screening and consultations with potential clients, many of whom will be detained or in danger of being imminently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Responsibilities:

• Represent clients in detained and non-detained removal proceedings before the Immigration Court and their appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and Second Circuit.
• Represent clients in Family Court as needed for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and in affirmative matters before the US Citizenship and Immigration Court.
• Perform intake and screening, 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.
• Make visits to detention centers as necessary to interview and prepare clients.
• Maintain data in case management system and assist with gathering data for grant reporting.
• Represent NYLAG at advocate meetings and community events.
• Work with and mentor pro bono attorneys, volunteers, and law students working with NYLAG.
• Conduct trainings for community-based organizations, local agencies, and other advocates in the related substantive matters.

Qualifications:

• Admission to New York Bar required.
• Fluency in Spanish required.
• Minimum three years experience in immigration law required.
• Minimum one year of experience in removal defense required.
• Experience with federal litigation, including habeas petitions, is preferred.
• Experience working with survivors of trauma, immigrants and/or underserved communities.
• Excellent oral advocacy, litigation, research, and writing skills.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.

How to Apply:

To apply or for more information, please visit this link .