Immigration Attorney, Detained Removal Defense

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks law graduates and experienced attorneys to join the Fall 2027 class of our detained removal defense team in the Immigration Practice. Lateral attorneys who are available to begin earlier may be considered for a start date prior to Fall 2027.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown people living below the poverty level in Brooklyn.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues.

BDS’s Immigration Practice is a collaborative team of over 80 staff members. Attorneys on the detained removal defense team represent low-income noncitizens held in immigration jails before immigration courts in New York City and elsewhere as part of the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project. Attorneys also represent noncitizens in non-detained removal proceedings, complex applications before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal circuit courts, and habeas corpus and mandamus actions before federal district courts.

Responsibilities

• Attend training program in Fall of 2027 (unless an experienced lateral hire).
• Provide comprehensive representation to clients in detained and non-detained removal proceedings and immigration appeals.
• Litigate issues including detention, removability, and eligibility for immigration relief.
• Make regular appearances in immigration court and appear in person when required.
• Meet with detained clients in person at immigration jails.
• Effectively navigate a demanding caseload where court-imposed deadlines are short and may be changed with little notice.
• Conduct complex legal research and writing on a range of removability, relief, and appellate issues.
• File applications for immigration benefits with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, respond to Requests for Evidence, attend USCIS interviews, and file administrative appeals.
• Collaborate with supervisors, attorneys, social workers, paralegals, and administrative staff to fully develop cases and build trusting relationships with clients.
• Coordinate with staff of other departments concerning overall legal strategy and client needs.
• Maintain case files, notes, and court appearance data on case management and document management systems in accordance with professional responsibility rules and BDS policies.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree anticipated by the start date of the incoming class in September 2027.
• Admitted to a state bar or have taken the first available state bar exam after graduation.
• Strong desire to advocate on behalf of noncitizens facing detention and deportation.
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate and connect with people with varied backgrounds, identities and experiences.
• Effective research, writing and advocacy skills.
• Highly organized, attentive to detail and cognizant of deadlines.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to adapt to urgent situations.
• Spoken and written fluency in Spanish preferred.

Position Information

This is an exempt, salaried position in the Collective Bargaining Unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. However, attorneys may need to work outside these hours on occasion in order to accommodate court and jail visitation scheduling. The position is based at BDS’s offices in Downtown Brooklyn.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range of $97,000-$109,000. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Click HERE to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director, HR, Christina Wallace, at cwallace@ bds.org.

BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies