Staff Attorney

Who We Are

Hispanic Federation (HF) is the nation's premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. Founded in 1990, HF supports Hispanic families and strengthens Latino institutions through grant making and direct services in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and the environment. Values that drive our work include equality, fairness, diversity, and empathy.

Who We Seek

Hispanic Federation (HF) is seeking an Immigration Attorney who will support immigration programming, the execution of programmatic deliverables, and serve as the supervising attorney when clinics are executed at HF NYC network sites. The attorney will support the work locally and regionally, including New York City, Long Island, and Upstate New York.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with various types of immigration relief and direct representation, including having difficult conversations aimed at addressing the concerns of underserved community members. The position will require strong attention to detail as cases will relate to both services and legal matters.

The position is a hybrid role and will require onsite presence at least 50% of the time, totaling a minimum of 10 days a month. Travel to onsite events and regional office sites are added to the minimum for onsite presence. The Immigration Attorney will work under the supervision of the Senior Director for Immigration Initiatives.

Reports to: Senior Director for Immigration Initiatives

Location: New York City, occasionally Long Island and Upstate New York

Status: Full Time, Regular

Responsibilities:

• Supervise and coordinate community clinics, serving as the supervising attorney for pro-bono and per diem legal support, clinic volunteers, and clinic partners.
• Counsel program participants on immigration law and related issues.
• Provide legal expertise for a wide range of immigration issues including affirmative and defensive asylum, family-based immigration, adjustment of status, naturalization, U/T Visas, VAWA, TPS, SIJS, removal cases (on a limited basis), other special projects as assigned, and processing employment authorization documents.
• Develop community networks, strengthen relationships with other legal service providers and supporting agencies as it relates to community needs.
• Develop KYR curriculum and trainings on immigration laws, rulings and regulations to HF network and community partners, especially as immigration policies rapidly change.
• Train staff, volunteers, and other partners on immigration issues and applications (e.g. asylum form and supplemental documents such as declarations, and EADs).
• Analyse complex immigration case types such as cases with criminal convictions and fraud.
• Record data and manage client’s confidential information in a safe and secure manner.
• Prepare documentation for program reporting and audit activities.
• Ensure data reporting is submitted correctly and timely to funding institutions and the board of directors.
• Provide creative solutions to meet departmental deliverable/programmatic goals.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Able to independently practice immigration law; at least two (2) years of legal experience, with four (4) years of experience preferred, within immigration law practice, managing immigration application support, and/or leading others in the application processes. Experience supervising paralegals, case managers, and other attorneys is an asset.
• Experience working with underserved, underrepresented communities.
• Admitted to practice law in New York State is an asset. Admission to practice law in the United States is required.
• Excellent interpersonal and legal research and writing skills.
• Experience guiding applicants through various governmental application processes.
• Ability to both empathize with client’s challenges and help to problem solve, including familiarity with trauma-informed service providing.
• Highly organized and detail oriented, solutions oriented is a must.
• Strong written and spoken communication skill in both English and Spanish is required, community outreach may require additional language skills.
• Flexible, self-motivated, with the ability to motivate others.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team to further advance HF values, missions, and goals.
• Proficient knowledge of computer systems and applications such as Microsoft Office products, specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook; experience with client databases and case management systems, a plus.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as required for program and community events.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $90,000. Compensation comes with a robust benefits package with fully subsidized medical, dental, vision insurance, 403(B) retirement plan – eligible for a company match, access to flexible spending and pre-tax commuter benefits. Full-time regular employees are also provided with fifteen (15) vacation days, four (4) personal days, and paid sick time.

HF is a hybrid work environment with the opportunity to work from home 50% of the time.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume. No telephone calls, and only selected candidates will be contacted.

For more information, please visit www.hispanicfederation.org.

Hispanic Federation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against actual or perceived race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation and/or other protected categories.

The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $90,000. Compensation comes with a robust benefits package with fully subsidized medical, dental, vision insurance, 403(B) retirement plan – eligible for a company match, access to flexible spending and pre-tax commuter benefits. Full-time regular employees are also provided with fifteen (15) vacation days, four (4) personal days, and paid sick time.

HF is a hybrid work environment with the opportunity to work from home 50% of the time.

Strong written and spoken communication skill in both English and Spanish is required, community outreach may require additional language skills.