Staff Attorney, Juvenile Immigration Unit

We are seeking experienced Staff Attorneys to address immigration needs for Juvenile Rights clients in several trial offices. This role requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in a trial office setting.

About the Role

The Staff Attorney will specialize in immigration matters for clients (ages 0 to 21) involved in NYC family courts on child protective, PINS (Persons-In-Need-of-Supervision), juvenile delinquency, and termination of parental rights petitions. You will work within an interdisciplinary team of social workers, paralegals, and other professionals to provide high-standard legal representation.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a commitment to addressing fundamental immigration issues and maintaining excellence in client service within an interdisciplinary model.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a high standard of representation in child welfare and immigration client services.
• Directly represent clients before United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), the asylum office, and immigration courts.
• Address emergent immigration policies affecting clients.
• Provide regular trainings and consultations to JRP staff on immigration issues, including SIJS, asylum, T visas, U visas, and other forms of relief, as well as developments in immigration law.
• Assist JRP staff in early identification of clients with immigration needs.
• Accept referrals from JRP trial attorneys for immigration assistance and screen clients for immigration relief.
• Mentor JRP trial attorneys to obtain SIJS predicate orders from family court, including drafting and reviewing motions, affirmations, supporting evidence, and proposed orders.
• Conduct out-of-court case preparation, including interviewing, investigating, document review, and witness preparation.
• Draft motions, briefs, and other documents in support of client immigration matters.
• Compile supporting declarations and evidence for client immigration matters.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Juvenile Rights, Civil, and Criminal practice areas.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and training.
• Maintain and prioritize workload, including case management reports.
• Carry out other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• New York State Bar admission.
• Minimum of three years' experience as a practicing attorney.
• Commitment to children’s issues and juvenile justice.
• Ability to work effectively with children, adolescents, and family members.
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and serving racially and socioeconomically oppressed communities.
• Excellent writing, communication, organizational, and oral advocacy skills.
• Interest in developing new approaches to representing children with immigration issues.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team while handling a full caseload.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in other languages, particularly Spanish.
• Experience working with children or within the child welfare and/or juvenile justice system.
• Experience working in immigration law.

Pay

Salary Range: $86,520 - $157,075. The actual salary offered may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Benefits

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package, including:

• Health insurance
• Paid vacation
• Disability and life insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
• New York State loan repayment assistance for residents, depending on years of practice

Learn more about PSLF | Learn more about NYS loan forgiveness

Work Authorization

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