Citywide Deputy Director of Immigrant Justice

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Citywide Immigrant Justice Director and the Directors of each borough’s immigration practices to develop and implement a shared citywide vision of LSNYC’s immigration practice.
• Lead and support federal litigation, under the supervision of the Citywide Immigrant Justice Director, including specifically:
• Coordinating federal immigration litigation, including habeas cases and petitions for review, across the boroughs, including managing calendaring deadlines, providing substantive and technical support to litigation teams and/or pro bono counsel, and ensuring appropriate coverage for clients at high risk of unlawful detention or deportation;
• Leading federal immigration litigation alongside front-line staff within LSNYC and/or pro bono counsel, including drafting complaints and emergency briefing, preparing clients and obtaining declarations, oral arguments, discovery, negotiating settlements, and drafting and filing any appeals, as well as leading and coordinating across litigation teams and providing supervision and support as needed to ensure successful high-quality representation for clients;
• Helping practitioners prepare potential litigation prior to a client’s scheduled interaction with immigration authorities or other high-risk scenario for detention or deportation;
• Engaging in discovery, appearing in court, engaging with opposing counsel, and conferring on litigation strategy;
• Acting as a point of contact within the Litigation Directors on immigration issues, and providing consultation and support to LSNYC staff on federal litigation affecting immigrants;
• Developing resources and templates related to federal litigation affecting immigrants.
• Support the development and execution of citywide immigration litigation, advocacy, and policy priorities, including coordinating cross-borough collaboration, communication, and rapid response to urgent immigration developments, and digesting and disseminating urgent developments in immigration law or policy;
• Lead and coordinate internal training, mentorship, and skill-building initiatives in partnership with LSNYC’s Justice Learning Center and borough-based managers.
• Collaborate with LSNYC’s Pro Bono program, including providing training and supervision and support for pro bono federal immigration litigation;
• Other duties as may be required by the Citywide Immigrant Justice Director;
• Promote LSNYC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across the immigration practice.

Qualifications

• At least six years of immigration law practice, which may include a federal clerkship, including experience with complex immigration removal defense, humanitarian relief, and appellate work.
• At least two years of experience in immigration habeas litigation.
• Experience in litigating petitions for review in front of the federal circuit courts preferred.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory or managerial experience leading attorneys and staff.
• Demonstrated success in collaborative leadership, including managing or coordinating across teams and with different stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of the systemic conditions shaping poverty, racial inequity, and immigrant exclusion in NYC.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including comfort with public speaking and media engagement.
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish.
• Commitment to community-centered, trauma-informed legal practice and to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

How to Apply

Interested individuals should submit a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples via the Greenhouse portal.

No telephone calls please.

LSNYC offers an excellent benefits package and highly competitive public interest salary. We offer excellent benefits, including health, dental, and vision plans; contributions to a 403(b) plan; and generous leave time. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Staff members who are not managers are members of the LSSA/NOLSW UAW Local 2320.

Dependent on work history and experience.

Salary Range: $118,589 - $188,472 USD

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.