Staff Attorney

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services were virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 370 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description

The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks a highly motivated Staff Attorney for a full-time position dedicated to serving the needs of immigrants experiencing housing insecurity through an innovative partnership with an network of shelters serving New York City residents. In particular, this position will work with the Women In Need (WIN) shelter system and through this program, we hope to meet the immigration needs of shelter residents in need of stability.

The job requires a broad substantive knowledge of immigration law and avenues to immigration status, experience working with families experiencing instability in their lives, and a keen eye for prospective relief options, and a desire to create innovative and flexible programming that meets the needs of the community as they arise. Candidates will have a proactive ability to solve problems under time pressure, a strong commitment to clients, and a background in trauma-informed advocacy. The Staff Attorney will work within the Immigrant Protection Unit at NYLAG under the supervision of a Supervising Attorney.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities will include:

• Conduct legal screenings for immigrants residing in the New York City shelter system;
• Prepare and file applications for immigration status and Freedom of Information Act requests to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Executive Office for Immigration Review.
• Assist with planning, coordinating, and executing in-person pro se screening and application assistance clinics;
• Participate in meetings and serve as a liaison to partner organizations and other external stakeholders;
• Track client cases, progress of applications, and follow up for funding purposes. Assist Supervising Attorney in collaborating with community organizations, partners, and funders;
• Attend in-person screening clinics, Know Your Rights presentations, pro se application clinics, and other types of outreach events; and
• Perform other various duties, including giving general consults, advice, trainings, and mentoring of volunteers and pro bono.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited school.
• Admission to the New York State bar strongly preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish, French, or another language that is commonly spoken by immigrant New Yorkers required.
• Minimum 1 year experience working in immigration law strongly preferred.
• Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary and the public.
• Experience working with survivors of trauma and immigrants experiencing housing instability.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and social justice.
• Ability to work in a collaborative setting with other professionals.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.

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.

Employment type:

☒ Full-time

Professional Level:
☒ Professional

Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $75,199 - $82, 392.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

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.

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.