Supervising Attorney

About the Role

The Immigration Legal Services Program (ILSP) Supervising Attorney administers and coordinates various legal program functions, including participation at community legal clinics, information and pro se services at immigration courts, intake and assessment of cases for representation, pro bono project services, and substantive mentorship and technical assistance for all cases under their supervision. The role involves advocacy with state and federal courts, participation in rapid response efforts, and oversight of project-based programming and junior legal staff.

The Supervising Attorney will supervise internal staff attorneys and pro bono volunteer advocates, maintain an internal caseload secondary to supervisory duties, keep staff updated on legal changes, and assist in developing legal strategies for emerging issues.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and oversee a team of staff attorneys and paralegals on a variety of legal services and immigration representation matters, including:
  • Legal clinical services at schools and courts
  • Intake services, group information sessions, and Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations
  • Naturalization, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, green card renewals
  • Humanitarian representation (VAWA, U/T visas, DACA, TPS, affirmative asylum, SIJS)
  • All forms of removal defense representation and appellate work
• Supervise pro bono volunteer advocates, including training on substantive family and immigration law, ensuring quality of legal work, and assisting with program reports.
• Conduct client intake, evaluate matters for issue spotting and placement, and supervise caseloads of direct reports.
• Maintain a secondary caseload for screening, advising, and representing individuals in:
  • Removal proceedings or other immigration-related federal litigation (e.g., criminal or security grounds of inadmissibility/deportability, cancellation of removal, asylum, BIA and federal appeals, motion practice)
  • Complex immigration applications (e.g., special juvenile immigrant petitions, VAWA, U and T visa applications, deferred action, inadmissibility waivers)
• Develop responses and strategies for emerging issues and provide progress reports to Legal Leadership.
• Monitor the work of legal staff and pro bono volunteers through case management systems, site visits, and file reviews.
• Develop and provide in-house and outreach trainings, presentations, and workshops.
• Comply with program reporting requirements, including maintaining case files, tracking productivity, and reporting to partners and stakeholders.
• Represent the organization at local committees, coalitions, and collaboratives, and serve as a liaison with elected officials and law enforcement.
• Maintain and update electronic and physical case files.

Schedule

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

The position requires travel throughout New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley, including work at the New York City office, immigration and family courts, and community sites. Travel may account for at least 20% of the time, using public transportation or a vehicle.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• At least four (4) years of post-JD experience in immigration law.
• Admission to the New York Bar or ability to waive in.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience.

Skills

• Bilingual in English and a second language (preferred but not required).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, maturity, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong management skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Working Conditions

• Travel at least 20% of the time using public transportation or a vehicle, traverse city streets, and occasionally ascend/descend stairs.
• Exposure to outside weather conditions.
• Remain stationary at a workstation, in court, or meetings for at least 70% of the time.
• Instruct and monitor during trainings and presentations.
• Carry a laptop to offsite work locations.