Attorney, Federal Immigration Litigation – Civil Rights and Law Reform Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks an attorney focused on federal immigration litigation to join the Civil Rights and Law Reform Practice.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.

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 for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.

The Civil Rights and Law Reform unit works across BDS’s practice areas to identify, target, and reform barriers that impede access to justice for the people BDS represents. Through strategic federal and state litigation on behalf of both classes and individual people, we challenge government action that harms the people we serve. In partnership with BDS’s Policy & Advocacy team, we seek to reform regulations, policies, and practices through administrative advocacy with federal, state, and local governmental agencies. We also work closely with our Jail Services team to advocate for systemic changes to protect the constitutional and human rights of the people incarcerated in New York City jails.

With regard to immigrant rights, the Civil Rights and Law Reform unit works closely with BDS’s Immigration Practice to fight unlawful detention and deportation; challenge excessive delay and wrongful denial of immigration benefits and Freedom of Information Act requests; and bring affirmative immigration-related civil challenges seeking strategic reform that benefits BDS’s noncitizen clients.

This position will report to the Director of the Civil Rights and Law Reform Practice and will work in close collaboration with Immigration Practice attorneys and staff, as well as with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary counsel on federal district and circuit court litigation related to immigrant rights, including habeas corpus petitions, mandamus petitions, and actions under the Administrative Procedure Act.
• Draft pleadings, briefs, motions, and other legal documents, and handle court dates.
• Manage the immigration federal litigation referral system.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and litigate systemic class actions related to immigrant rights.
• Research and analyze legal theories to challenge constitutional, statutory, and regulatory violations.
• Investigate factual developments and trends regarding immigration enforcement and due process.
• Track federal notices of rulemaking and draft public comment responses on relevant issues.
• Draft amicus briefs on relevant issues.
• Plan and present litigation updates and training for BDS staff.
• Collaborate with pro bono attorneys on certain federal court litigation.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar, or ability to become admitted in New York.
• Additional admission to New Jersey and/or Pennsylvania Bars highly desirable.
• 3+ years of experience in the field of immigration law and/or federal litigation. Additional legal experience welcome.
• Experience writing, filing, and arguing federal court litigation in support of immigrant rights, including habeas petitions.
• Ability to understand and analyze complex legal issues and develop litigation strategies.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills, including the ability to draft clear and persuasive legal documents.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to adapt to urgent situations.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively and collegially as part of a team.
• Ability to collaborate and engage with BDS colleagues and external partners.

Position Information

This is an exempt, salaried position in the collective bargaining unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range of $81,000-$157,261 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. 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

Please visit our career center to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. We recommend you submit your application by May 30, 2025.

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.+