Staff Attorney

SUMMARY

Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) is hiring a Staff Attorney for a full-time, exempt position within COPO’s Legal Department. The Staff Attorney will manage a case docket and be responsible for working on simple and complex immigration cases.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree or an LLM (if a foreign-trained lawyer) from an accredited law school.
• An attorney in good standing and an active license to practice law in New York is required.
• Conduct legal research, draft legal memoranda, briefs, and other legal documents to support client cases.
• Minimum of two years of experience immigration law, including removal defense, including familiarity with family-based applications including SIJS cases, preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Able to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, multitask, and solve problems.
• Experience in community education and outreach, particularly in immigrant communities, to promote understanding of legal rights and resources.
• Previous experience with SIJS cases preferred.
• Fluency in English and the ability to speak and understand at least one additional language is required, with a preference for French, Haitian Creole, and/or Spanish.

OVERVIEW OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct comprehensive legal consultations with potential clients to determine eligibility for representation.
• Work directly with clients to prepare and file applications or legal submissions for immigration relief and represent them at agency interviews or hearings in Immigration Court.
• Represent clients in removal proceedings before the EOIR, including the preparation of necessary motions and applications.
• Conduct legal consultations with potential clients to determine eligibility for validity and representation.
• Maintain and consistently update case files in the case management database.
• Collaborate frequently with the Supervising attorney on best practices and the implementation of policies and procedures that advance the longevity and viability of COPO’s legal department.
• Develop and present “Know Your Rights” and other information tailored to immigrant communities. Deliver legal information in accessible formats during community events.
• Participate in on-site and virtual community legal clinics, providing direct support including screenings, legal consultations, application assistance, and limited advice on pro se representation.
• Assist in creating educational content and handouts for community distribution to promote legal literacy on immigration processes and defenses.
• All other relevant tasks as assigned.

Any 2nd language