Staff Attorney - Immigration Law Clinic

Albany Law School seeks a Staff Attorney to join the Immigration Law Clinic (ILC) at The Edward P. Swyer Justice Center. The successful candidate will be appointed as a Law Clerk (if not yet admitted)/Associate Staff Attorney, Staff Attorney, or Senior Staff Attorney, depending on experience. The Edward P. Swyer Justice Center is home to Albany Law School’s clinical legal education program, operating as a public interest law firm. In a typical academic year, more than 200 law students enrolled across The Justice Center’s four clinics and numerous field placement programs provide critical legal representation to hundreds of eligible clients and lend broad support throughout the Capital Region by providing technical assistance, engaging in advocacy initiatives, and conducting community education and training.

The Immigration Law Clinic, founded in 2015, provides crucial immigration legal services to individuals throughout the Capital Region. Powered by the talent and dedication of its students, the ILC provides direct representation to people in immigration matters while supporting collaborative, community-driven responses to the ever-changing challenges affecting immigrants in Albany and beyond.

Essential Job Functions

• Under the supervision of the Director, manages the ILC’s docket of ongoing projects and client matters, including representing clinic clients (provides primary representation on all non-student matters and coverage for all matters over breaks); providing technical assistance; and conducting community education and outreach.
• In collaboration with the Director, assists with development of clinic projects and client matters, including conducting legal intakes and consultations; providing referrals; attending meetings and collaborating with internal and external partners; and supporting special projects.
• Facilitates ongoing ILC administration, including primary responsibility for developing and maintaining relevant clinic files; documenting client matters, outreach initiatives, and projects; creating and updating administrative policy and procedure documentation and clinic manuals; and reporting for grant and gift objectives.
• At the Director’s discretion, supervises clinic students on client matters and clinic projects and provides guidance with seminar objectives, including supporting students with tasks related to legal research and writing; planning and managing cases; investigating facts; gathering evidence; preparing and submitting filings; preparing for hearings and appearances; and counseling clients.
• As supervised by the Director, assists with clinic seminar administration, including developing and maintaining clinic manuals, syllabi, and readings; updating and maintaining online learning management system; creating and reviewing course assignments; scheduling and coordinating guest speakers; and, at the Director’s discretion, providing limited classroom instruction.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent organization and time-management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing
• Excellent client counseling skills
• Proficiency with legal case management systems (LegalServer or similar), legal research tools including LexisNexis and Westlaw, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with U.S. immigration law and procedures
• Commitment to protecting the rights of and advocating in the interest of immigrants

Qualifications

• JD or LLM from an ABA approved law school
• Admission to NY bar; eligibility to waive into NY bar; or eligibility to sit for next NY Bar Exam (the successful applicant will be expected to be admitted to the NYS bar within one year of hire date)
• Registration or eligibility to register with the Executive Officer for Immigration Review (EOIR) or eligibility to register following admission to NY bar
• Two or more years of practical legal experience representing clients in immigration matters (recent law school graduates with significant clinical legal experience or coursework in immigration law considered)
• Valid driver’s license
• Fluency in Spanish, French, or other language – in addition to English – preferred

Compensation

The estimated salary range for this position is $65,000-$90,000 per year. The salary offered will be based on the successful candidate’s relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, and in consideration of internal equity.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance, employer paid disability and life insurance coverage, 5% retirement contribution, CDTA bus pass, and generous time off.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit:

• Cover letter
• Resume/curriculum vitae
• Writing sample of no more than 10 pages that accurately reflects the applicant’s independent legal research, analysis, and writing capabilities (identify any external support received, including any assistance with research, editing, or more general feedback)
• Contact information for at least three professional references.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interested applicants are encouraged to apply early. The successful candidate will ideally start by early September.

Albany Law School is committed to ensuring equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all of its employment practices, without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status as transgender or gender transitioning, veteran or military status (including special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran, or recently separated veteran), predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law. This position is offered subject to this commitment, and candidates will be considered on the basis of merit, ability, and valid job qualifications without regard to the aforementioned characteristics.