Staff Attorney, Immigration Law Unit – Immigrant Youth Project

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice is seeking a Staff Attorney to join the citywide Immigration Law Unit’s Youth Project team. The Immigration Law Unit (ILU) is a recognized leader in providing high-quality representation to non-citizens in all five boroughs of New York City and surrounding counties. Our staff of almost 100 attorneys, social workers, and paralegals across seven different projects and initiatives work collaboratively to provide client-centered, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive legal services. ILU provides low-income New Yorkers with free comprehensive immigration services ranging from deportation defense to adjustment of status to legal permanent residence and citizenship applications.

About the role

The Staff Attorney will provide legal services to undocumented youth and unaccompanied immigrant children at the New York Immigration Courts, before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and before Family Courts in New York City and surrounding counties. The attorney will work on cases such as special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS), asylum, U/T visas, and other forms of relief. The Staff Attorney will also work collaboratively with staff in the ILU’s Youth Project, LAS’ Juvenile Rights Practice, the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), and foster care agency personnel to provide immigration advice and guidance. The Staff Attorney may work with and mentor law students, pro bono attorneys, and volunteers in cases related to the Youth Project.

Responsibilities

• Screen and provide direct representation to immigrant youth in removal proceedings in Immigration Court. Attorney will also handle some affirmative cases.
• Appear in Asylum Offices to represent clients in asylum or credible fear interviews.
• Appear in Family court in all five boroughs of the City of New York and in surrounding counties, including but not limited to Suffolk and Nassau counties, to obtain predicate orders for special immigrant juvenile status.
• Build on existing relationships with the Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice staff attorneys and others to meet the needs of undocumented youth in foster care.
• Conduct forums and workshops in immigrant communities and public schools on immigration issues.
• Participate in continuous professional development.
• Attend and provide trainings to advocates throughout the city and in Family and Immigration Courts.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Demonstrated commitment to representing low-income, disadvantaged clients.
• At least two years of Immigration law and/or trial experience.
• Excellent writing, analytical, oral advocacy, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team and manage a high volume of cases.
• Ability to work with pro bono attorneys, law student interns, and volunteers.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Immigration law experience.
• Preferred: Experience working with children and youth.
• Preferred: Demonstrated commitment to representing or working with individuals from marginalized communities.
• Proficiency in languages other than English is desirable, but not required.

Pay

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $84,000 - $152,500

Benefits

• Generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance.
• Qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Eligibility for New York State loan repayment assistance programs for residents, depending on years of practice.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. For citizens of Canada and Mexico, The Legal Aid Society will provide a letter documenting employment status needed to obtain a TN visa.