Temporary Supervising Attorney, Immigrant Protection Unit

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description

New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks a highly motivated Supervising Attorney for a full-time, temporary position. The Supervising Attorney will lead a team of Staff Attorneys and Paralegals primarily working on detained and non-detained removal defense and post-order work. The job requires substantive knowledge and experience working with removal defense, asylum-seeking families and minors, the intersection of criminal and immigration law, and overseeing the development and implementation of programming and contract management. Candidates will have a proactive ability to solve problems under time pressure, a strong commitment to providing client-centered services for clients experiencing trauma, and an ability to provide professional development and support to a team of attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers at various stages in their careers.

The Supervisor will work within the Immigrant Protection Unit at NYLAG as a part of the unit leadership team assisting with the operations of the unit, grant reporting, and development of the team and unit.

The Supervisor will report directly to the Director or Associate Director of the Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Supervisor’s responsibilities will include:

• Provide supervision and subject matter expertise on screening, issue-spotting and advising prospective clients, inadmissibility and removability, asylum, withholding of removal, and relief pursuant to the Convention Against Torture, Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas, Cancellation of Removal, and other relief available to detained and non-detained immigrants in removal proceedings.
• Provide supervision and subject matter expertise for post-removal order cases including Motions to Reopen, Credible and Reasonable Fear proceedings, and substantive appeals to the BIA.
• Manage assignment of cases and professional development for supervisees.
• Represent a small number of non-detained New York City residents, in removal proceedings before EOIR, in appeals to the BIA, and limited federal litigation.
• Act as a liaison to partner organizations and other external stakeholders to coordinate programming and reporting.
• Track client cases, progress of applications, and follow up for funding purposes. Liaise with NYLAG Development team to compile data and report to funders on relevant grants.
• Conduct internal and external trainings for attorneys, paralegals, and other community advocates.
• Represent NYLAG to our funders, collaborative partners, and other external stakeholders including coordinating programming and reporting, attending conferences and trainings, and sharing materials.
• Develop and expand relationships with community-based organizations and partners .

Qualifications

Required:

• J.D. and admission to New York State Bar, preferred admission to Southern District of New York.
• Fluency in Spanish.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in immigration law, including substantive experience representing clients in removal defense and asylum matters. Preferred experience working on detained cases.
• Ability to work in a collaborative setting with other professionals.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant communities and advancing racial and social justice.
• Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks, and creatively problem solve.

Additionally:

• Substantive experience with detained removal process, post-order work, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
• Excellent writing, speaking, and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary and the public.
• Ability to work in a collaborative setting with other professionals.
• Experience working with survivors of trauma and the intersection of criminal law and immigration law.
• Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks, and creatively problem solve.
• Strong advocacy skills, including the ability to develop creative legal arguments, and individualize case strategies for clients with cases in varying legal postures.
• Commitment to mentoring, teaching, and supporting staff with varying levels of experience.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Temporary

Professional Level:

☒ Managerial

Salary Range:

NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is for a yearly salary between $139,053--$151,866, pro-rated for the period of employment.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.