Staff Attorney

About the Role

The Staff Attorney works in a large and diverse legal department, reporting to a Supervising Attorney. The role focuses on providing legal services for New York City residents, particularly unaccompanied children and other youth. This is a grant-funded position, and continued employment will depend on future funding.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial consultations and perform in-depth evaluation of eligibility for immigration benefits and/or relief from removal.
• Provide accurate and thorough legal advice and Know Your Rights information to potential clients.
• Independently manage a full caseload under Supervising Attorney supervision.
• Provide direct representation to clients before USCIS and EOIR in cases including but not limited to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), asylum, and U and T visas. Other cases may include VAWA, TPS, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, inadmissibility waivers, cancellation of removal, and requests for prosecutorial discretion.
• Represent clients in New York State courts to obtain orders necessary for SIJS.
• Comply with all program reporting and record-keeping requirements, including maintaining an up-to-date dashboard of assigned cases, regularly updated case notes, accurate electronic and paper case files, and timely reporting to partners and stakeholders.
• Prepare written case evaluation memos and consult with supervising attorney and managing attorney as needed to determine legal theory and case strategy for all cases accepted for representation.
• Ensure thorough, written planning for case management and timeline, and adjust as needed.
• Maintain strong working relationships with partners and stakeholders, including funders, state and local social and legal service providers, USCIS, EOIR, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Supervise substantive work of paralegals (migration counselors) on legal cases and consultations.
• Train, mentor, and supervise legal interns, legal fellows, and volunteers for work on individual cases, presentations, legal screenings, and related work.
• Provide in-house and external trainings and presentations, including CLEs, as directed.
• Engage in and lead outreach presentations.
• Travel to all five boroughs as required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor required.
• Admission to the NY Bar is required.
• At least one year of experience in family and/or immigration law, including clinical or pro bono experience, strongly preferred.

Skills

• Spanish language proficiency strongly preferred.
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, maturity, and ability to work both independently and in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Experience working with paralegals or other support staff.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally and linguistically responsive services and principles.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, particularly to children’s issues and/or immigration.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively and sensitively in a diverse and multicultural environment.
• Ability to travel throughout the five boroughs and the Archdiocese.

Schedule

Days and hours of work are generally 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Additional evening and weekend hours may be required to meet court and/or program deadlines or client needs.

Working Conditions

• Travel at least 25% of the time using public transportation or vehicle, traverse city streets, occasionally ascend/descend stairs, and be exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Remain stationary at a workstation, in court/meetings, and use a computer at least 75% of the time.
• Remain stationary and/or ambulate to instruct and monitor during trainings and presentations.
• Carry a laptop to offsite work locations.

Pay

$76,000 - $89,000 annually

Location: 80 Maiden Lane, New York, NY, 10038