Staff or Senior Staff Attorney

Title: Staff or Senior Staff Attorney

Team: Programs and Membership

Reports to: Managing Attorney

Employment Status: Full Time/Exempt

Salary Range: $95,481- $109,273/year**

Location: Position is currently based in New York City and will require regular travel within New York State, including the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Western New York, Fingerlakes, New York City, and other parts of New York State. Applicants based in one of the regions listed above may also be considered.

Overview of the Organization

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State. We envision a New York State that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams. Our mission is to unite immigrants, Members, and allies so all New Yorkers can thrive. We represent the collective interests of New York’s diverse immigrant communities and organizations and devise solutions to advance them; advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups; and build the power of immigrants and the organizations that serve them to ensure their sustainability, to improve people’s lives, and to strengthen our state.

Our organizational values: Inclusive & Representative; Fair & Just; Accountable & Trusted.

Position Overview

This is a contract-funded position for a rapid-response initiative that the NYIC is undertaking to support vulnerable migrants and asylum-seekers throughout New York State. This position is funded through August 2026. The continuation of this position beyond the time frame stated is contingent upon available funding.

The Staff or Senior Staff Attorney will serve as an on-the-ground immigration attorney contributing to a network of legal services across several regions of New York State, with a focus on newly arrived immigrant populations. The Staff or Senior Staff Attorney will oversee and provide limited scope affirmative and defensive services to clients. The Staff or Senior Staff Attorney will directly manage three full-time staff: two Paralegals and one Legal Navigator, who will also provide legal support to clients under the Staff or Senior Staff Attorney’s review and direction. The Staff or Senior Staff Attorney will report to the Managing Attorney and will work closely with internal teams as well as external partners, including legal service providers and community-based organizations.

Limited scope legal services are delivered via legal clinics (in-person, remote, or hybrid) and remote 1:1 legal assistance. The Staff or Senior Staff Attorney will ensure that the legal services provided through this program are high quality. The Staff or Senior Staff Attorney’s duties will include direct services (completing screenings, providing legal advice, drafting applications, filing limited scope motions, etc.) and supervising the direct services provided by the Paralegals and Legal Navigators (screenings, drafting, notarizing, etc.).

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Coordination & Provision of Legal Services

• In consultation with the Managing Attorney, coordinate and serve as an on-the-ground immigration attorney for legal clinics and direct legal services across New York State. Contribute to regional and remote legal support from attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff, both internal and external to the NYIC.
• Provide direct limited scope legal services to clients. These services may include, but are not limited to, 1) applications for asylum, Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), 2) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) filings such as Motions to Reopen, Change Venue, Change Hearing Format, 3) screenings for eligibility, and 4) general legal advice.
• Supervise and conduct final reviews of the direct limited scope legal services provided to clients, particularly by full-time Paralegals and Legal Navigators.
• Serve as a legal resource and answer questions from partner organizations, clients, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Exercise legal judgment and advise clients in a manner that is ethically sound, trauma-informed, and adheres to best practices.
• Draft, edit, and/or review training materials for legal volunteers, legal clinic guides, resources for legal services providers, and community-facing informational documents.

Data Collection

• Oversee and participate in data collection, tracking, and reporting to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of legal service deliverables and emerging trends.
• Communicate regularly with data management personnel to ensure efficient and accurate tracking of legal services provided and adherence to protocols.
• Adhere to, and if applicable, suggest policies and procedures to enhance the protection of personal identifying information and data privacy.

Other Responsibilities

• Support the Legal Director and Managing Attorney in implementing follow through of strategic decisions made regarding litigation efforts, special projects, and rapid response frameworks.
• Support training efforts and serve as a trainer on relevant topics in immigration law where appropriate.
• Liaise with legal and non-legal service providers, external partners, and other stakeholders.
• Occasionally moves or carries materials weighing 50 pounds or less.

Qualifications:

• Licensed attorney admitted to practice in New York.
• One (1) to five (5) years of relevant experience representing and working with diverse immigrant communities in affirmative and/or defensive immigration postures.
• One (1) to three (3) years of relevant supervision experience, preferably of immigration legal staff, including paralegals and other support staff.
• Experience with successfully developing and conducting strategic collaboration and events with diverse organizations and programs; experience conducting outreach in immigrant communities for legal services preferred.
• Strong skills in community organizing and community advocacy, specifically with underserved and diverse communities.
• Attention to detail, particularly in preparing applications and documents to be filed with various government agencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to promote cohesion among immigration legal staff, including attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff.
• Adaptability to changing work environments, processes, and emerging needs.
• Experience with fast-paced environments and juggling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Bilingual English- and Spanish-language speaker required.
• Strong computer skills preferred, including proficiency in Legal Server, Salesforce, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets), Canva, Microsoft Office Suite.

Important facts to know about this opportunity:

This position will involve extensive in-person work in the field; when not in the field, the position may allow for 1 remote day and any remaining days in the office.

Salary: $95,481- $109,273/year**

• *The NYIC has a transparent and equitable salary structure. Starting salaries for each position are set in advance with no room for negotiation

In addition to a competitive salary, NYIC offers a full benefit plan, unlimited paid time off after 90 days of employment, commuter benefits and a comprehensive retirement plan.

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter through Breezy: https://nyic.breezy.hr/p/fe4cd10dd42a-staff-or-senior-staff-attorney

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, immigration status or citizenship, sex, age, disability or marital status.