Staff Attorney - Anti-Trafficking Program

Responsibilities

• Learn and integrate a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, using an anti-oppressive lens, into your work with clients.
• Coach and guide staff in their client practice that reflects these approaches.
• Conducts in-depth interviews with clients to assess potential immigration relief as well as other legal needs, including eligibility for T-visas, U-visas, Continued Presence, and other forms of relief for human trafficking survivors.
• Sets up immigration remedies on behalf of clients. Prepares T and U Visa applications, Adjustment of Status applications, consular processing, and other appropriate forms of relief for human trafficking survivors.
• Provides information and options to clients related to the criminal justice system.
• Accompanies clients to court appearances and interviews with law enforcement agents related to trafficking cases, and provides other criminal justice advocacy as needed.
• Drafts all legal documents and makes court appearances with clients when necessary.
• Assists clients with a holistic range of services, including advocacy on non-legal issues and referrals for additional non-immigration related legal needs.
• Collaborates with internal program social workers, external social providers, and law enforcement agencies.
• Maintains clients’ case files and all internal data logs.
• Maintains monthly statistical reports and case narratives documenting case representation, provision of legal advocacy and referrals, including statistical data provided to funders.
• Conducts legal anti-trafficking presentations and trainings to community-based organizations, other legal service providers, government agencies and law enforcement, in collaboration with the Training and Outreach Manager.
• Develops and maintains relationships with individuals, organizations and government agencies within the immigration and human trafficking advocacy communities locally and nationally.
• Participates in bi-weekly staff meetings with a small and dynamic team.

Qualifications

• Must have a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited law school and be admitted to a state bar.
• Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:
  • Strong oral and written communications skills, including the ability to convey legal concepts to lay people.
  • The ability to write routine reports, court documents, case notes, visa applications and related documentation, pleadings and correspondence in a clear, concise and effective manner is essential.
  • Must be creative and have critical thinking skills.
  • Must be a persuasive and effective public speaker.
  • Problem-solving, prioritizing, time management, team-building and organizational skills are also essential.
  • Strong networking skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with various individuals, organizations and government agencies is essential.
  • Bilingual oral and written fluency in Spanish required; additional language fluency preferred.
• Experience:
  • Must have 2-3 years of experience providing direct legal services in immigration, human trafficking and/or related field.
  • Familiarity with legal services, resources and procedures available to immigrant communities in New York City preferred.
  • Must have experience working in social justice and/or human rights fields and be familiar with the underlying social issues impacting survivors of human trafficking, violent crime, domestic violence, torture, and/or flight from persecution in other countries.
  • Prior experience organizing and executing group trainings and information exchanges is preferred.
  • Prior experience working with immigrant populations and/or crime victim populations preferred.
  • Prior experience in the field of human trafficking preferred.

Pay

Hiring Range: $64,000.00 - $67,500.00 Annually

Schedule

Full-time Hours: 35 Hours per week

Benefits

• Vacation Time
• Paid Sick Time
• Holidays
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Company Life Insurance
• Medical/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Gym Reimbursement
• Parental Leave
• Employee Learning Center