Legal Assistant

Project Description: 

New Americans in New York State lack options for free or low cost legal services to assist them with immigration related legal issues and representation. They therefore are often forced to turn to service providers who may not have the necessary expertise in immigration law. To address this issue, the New York State Office for New Americans (ONA) will expand the availability of immigration lawyers around the state offering free and expert technical legal assistance legal clinics, direct representation, and legal seminars and workshops.

Job Description: 

Reporting to the Supervising Attorney, the ONA Legal Assistant will assist in carrying out ONA grant objectives and will work to advance the mission of Journey’s End Refugee Services. The ONA Legal Assistant will provide outreach, referrals, and assistance with direct immigration legal services, and will assist ONA Legal Counsels in the organization of legal clinics, legal consultation days, and community information sessions across the counties of the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes region includes Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, and Wayne Counties. This position will primarily operate out of Rochester, NY. 

Job Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in providing direct immigration legal representation to the immigrant populations of Western New York.
• Assist attorneys in the organization and facilitation of legal consultation days, legal clinics, community information sessions, and Know Your Rights trainings across Western New York.
• Assist attorneys in developing, sustaining, and growing meaningful partnerships with local community groups to organize and host events.
• Assist attorneys in fielding and confirming receipt of immigration law questions from partner agencies, other immigrant service providers, and individuals in need of immigration assistance in the region.
• Provide referrals to appropriate internal agency programs or partner agencies to meet law-related and other needs to family members of deported individuals or those in removal proceedings.
• Assist with outreach and the development/distribution of a list of resources for referrals on programs and services available to new Americans. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Relevant office experience including filing, letter-drafting, data entry, completion of organizational tasks in a timely manner, etc.
• Enthusiasm to work on a dynamic and fast-paced Rapid Response Project
• Ability to travel to counties throughout Western New York
•  ability to be part of a dedicated team of talented individuals
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills