Staff Attorney - Pro Bono

The Door is an unparalleled model for youth development, offering a comprehensive range of integrated services within a single site for nearly eleven thousand New York City youth each year. Our mission is to empower young adults to reach their full potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. At The Door, youth can access health care and education, mental health counseling and crisis assistance, legal assistance, college preparation services, career development, housing supports, arts, sports and recreational activities, and nutritious meals – all for free and under one roof. By providing participants with our suite of integrated services, we seek to provide any motivated young person with the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to successfully transition to adulthood.

The Door’s Legal Services Center (LSC) advances the rights of youth by providing direct legal services in areas such as immigration, public benefits, family law, and housing. Situated within the larger Door community, the LSC addresses legal problems in a holistic and client-driven manner. The LSC’s pro bono program partners with law firms who work on individual cases as well as advocacy and impact litigation. Pro bono partners also staff a weekly legal clinic for homeless and runaway youth and staff a bi-weekly emancipation clinic. The Staff Attorney will focus on expanding our work at The Door’s new Bronx Youth Center and the pro bono practice. This position will be based at the Door’s Bronx Youth Center located at 2999 Third Avenue, Bronx, New York 10455.

Responsibilities:

• Represent young people ages 12-24 in immigration matters such as SIJS (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status), asylum, U Visas, T Visas in both affirmative and removal defense cases
• Facilitate internal and external referrals to education, health care, and other services
• Liaise with foster care agencies to provide immigration legal services to young people in foster care
• Lead initiatives advancing the legal rights of youth and facilitate opportunities for youth engagement
• Assist with legal education efforts, including planning and providing of workshops, producing legal education materials, and conducting outreach to social service and community-based organizations
• Document and report service delivery to ensure compliance with funding requirements
• Supervise and mentor interns and volunteers and provide technical assistance to pro bono attorneys
• Conduct trainings for pro bono attorneys and update and improve training materials for pro bono attorneys
• Support legal clinics and collaborate with BYC and other program areas
• Other responsibilities as assigned by Supervising Attorney, Managing Attorney and/or Co-Directors

Qualifications and Requirements:

• J.D. degree and admission to the New York State Bar or willingness to sit for the next scheduled exam
• At least 1 year of legal services experience in family or immigration law
• Interest in a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of young people
• Creative thinker with superior communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills, time management and record keeping skills, including the ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple assignments, and meet deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and to effectively interact with young people, management, and program staff
• Experience working with trans and gender nonconforming people and survivors of violence preferred
• Professional proficiency in French or Spanish is required

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week

Salary: Commensurate with experience, plus a generous benefits package

COVID -19 POLICY

The Door follows the CDC and NYS recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Door requires all new hires to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a qualified exemption.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. We support a broadly diverse team who will contribute to our organization. We are an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Professional proficiency in French or Spanish is required