Staff Attorney
New York, NY
Full Time
Immigrant Protection Unit
Entry Level
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. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.
Job Description
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks a highly motivated Staff Attorney for a full-time position dedicated to serving the needs of immigrants through innovative partnerships with community-based organizations, including a network of shelters serving New York City residents. Through a comprehensive model, we hope to meet the full range of immigration needs of our partner organizations’ communities.
The job requires a broad substantive knowledge of immigration law and avenues to immigration status, experience working with families experiencing instability in their lives, a keen eye for prospective relief options, and a desire to adapt programming as needed to meet 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:
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: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $87,210-$97,132.
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. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.
Job Description
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks a highly motivated Staff Attorney for a full-time position dedicated to serving the needs of immigrants through innovative partnerships with community-based organizations, including a network of shelters serving New York City residents. Through a comprehensive model, we hope to meet the full range of immigration needs of our partner organizations’ communities.
The job requires a broad substantive knowledge of immigration law and avenues to immigration status, experience working with families experiencing instability in their lives, a keen eye for prospective relief options, and a desire to adapt programming as needed to meet 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 and provide robust advice and counsel;
- 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, both pro se and with full representation, including notices of appeal, motions to reopen, and petitions for review;
- 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 and programmatic purposes. Assist Supervising Attorney in collaborating with community organizations, partners, and funders;
- Provide Know Your Rights presentations and attend other outreach events, including in-person clinics, as needed; and
- Perform other various duties, including giving general consults, advice, trainings, and mentoring of volunteers and pro bono.
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited school.
- Admission to the New York State bar or a pending application for admission is required.
- Fluency in Spanish 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 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: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $87,210-$97,132.
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