Lead Immigration Attorney

Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of 25,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, TGNCIQ justice, public education, health care access, and immigration reform. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer).  MRNY is a newly unionized workplace, currently negotiating its first Collective Bargaining Agreement.

MRNY is a multi-service organization.  Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more."

Current Opening:

The Lead Immigration Attorney in Westchester maintains an active docket of immigration cases, including those in removal proceedings and those with complex criminal circumstances. The Lead attorney will supervise a geographic team of at least three Legal team members, including staff attorneys and paralegals authorized to represent clients directly. The Lead attorney is responsible for coordinating a practice-based team with other members of the Legal Department and regularly working across teams on Legal projects. The Lead attorney is directly responsible for overseeing compliance (including reporting and site visits) for / managing the funder relationships where applicable for that geographic team.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Supervise at least 3 FTEs in their immigration practice, ensuring the provision of  quality legal services , develop their professional development and growth, and facilitate the support of relevant organizing efforts around immigration and other organizing efforts.
• Providing individualized assistance to clients currently in removal proceedings or eligible for immigration relief in a broad range of categories including SIJS, Asylum, U/T visas, cancellation of removal and others.  
• Providing individualized advocacy and assistance to immigrants with complex cases due to criminal records and other issues  
• Assisting with know-your-rights and other informational workshops to educate immigrant communities about immigration issues affecting their lives  
• Supporting MRNY members and organizing campaigns through strategic litigation, legislative advocacy, research and action support  
• Participation and coordination of  team meetings and participation in legal department meetings.  
• Management of key immigration grants and assistance with grant reporting generally

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the US 
• Required to be fully vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employment
• Law degree (such as J.D.) and license to practice law in New York State.
• At least 5 years of experience in immigration law.
• Strong managerial, organizational, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Knowledge of immigration law and removal defense litigation is preferred
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficient Spanish language skills
• Experience with populations that make up major portions of Make the Road’s membership is a plus – such as documented and undocumented immigrants, individuals facing domestic violence, members of TGNCIQ communities, those who have experienced the criminal legal system, and youth
• Desire to work collaboratively   

Job Competencies:

• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Be highly ethical, professional, and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure required.
• Strong legal writing and research skills.
• Flexible work schedule, some evenings or weekends required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• High level of accountability and initiative; needs to be a self-starter and eager to do team work to support the organization as a whole
• Relevant lived experience, including, but not limited to, having been a member of a low-income, immigrant community

Salary and Benefits:

Starting salary is based on a scale set by a democratically-elected personnel committee and will depend on factors such as experience and education. MRNY offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $70,338.72 TO $102.042.72

How to Apply:

Please attach cover letter/resume and submit all documents to the Make the Road New York career center.

Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.