Staff Attorney (Rapid Response)

About the role

New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks a highly motivated Spanish-speaking Staff Attorney for a full-time position representing detained immigrant New Yorkers and those at imminent risk of detention and deportation as part of NYLAG’s partnership with the Rapid Response Legal Collaborative (RRLC).

Responsibilities

• Represent immigrants who are detained or at imminent risk of detention with petitions for habeas corpus, accompaniment to check-ins, final orders of removal in appeals, motions to reopen and other proceedings before the immigration courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and Circuit Courts of Appeal.
• Appear in both the detained and non-detained Immigration Courts on a regular basis to represent immigrants in removal proceedings.
• Prepare and file appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and Second Circuit Court of Appeals as needed.
• Draft and file habeas corpus petitions and other federal litigation as needed.
• Prepare and file motions, briefs, forms, affidavits, other supporting documents, motions, and legal memoranda for submission to USCIS, EOIR, the Board of Immigration Appeals, federal district courts and circuit courts.
• Provide pro se assistance with motions to reopen, applications for asylum, petitions for habeas corpus and other related matters.
• Screens clients for eligibility for immigration relief, petitions for habeas corpus, motions to reopen, and grounds for appeal.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to detained individuals, individuals at risk of detention, their family members and community members.
• Interview clients in and out of detention, as well as their witnesses.
• Conduct client consultations of detained and non-detained clients and track client cases, progress of applications, and follow up for funding purposes.
• Represent NYLAG to our funders and collaborative partners including sharing materials, and attending meetings, conferences, and trainings.
• Supervise interns, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys as needed;

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited school
• Admission to the New York State bar
• Fluency in Spanish required
• Minimum 1 years experience working in removal defense required, 2 years preferred
• Experience working with detained and/or post-order clients preferred
• Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary, and the public
• Ability to work in a collaborative setting with other professionals
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights, criminal justice, and/or social justice issues
• Experience working with survivors of trauma and at the intersection of criminal law and immigration law
• Ability to work independently and under pressure

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited school
• Admission to the New York State bar
• Fluency in Spanish required
• Minimum 1 years experience working in removal defense required, 2 years preferred
• Experience working with detained and/or post-order clients preferred
• Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary, and the public
• Ability to work in a collaborative setting with other professionals
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights, criminal justice, and/or social justice issues
• Experience working with survivors of trauma and at the intersection of criminal law and immigration law
• Ability to work independently and under pressure

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k
• Life insurance
• Long term disability
• Commuter benefits
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care

Pay

NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $97,132 and $104,615.

Schedule

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy

Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.