Staff Attorney - Immigration Attorney

Job Title:   Staff Attorney 

Department:  Immigration Law 

Reports To: Supervising Attorney and Director of the Legal Services Fund  

FLSA Status: Local 2320 - Exempt 

Salary Range: As established by contract

Summary: The 32BJ Legal Services Fund provides legal advice and representation to eligible 32BJ members and their eligible dependents. Reporting to the Supervising Attorneys and the Director of the Legal Services Fund, the Staff Attorney will provide legal services to the members and eligible dependents of Building Service 32BJ who are eligible under the union’s Legal Services Plan. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provide legal representation to members before USCIS, EOIR and the Department of State and related venues
• Conduct intakes and determine an appropriate course of action, in collaboration with the Supervising Attorneys
• Prepare immigration forms, motions, briefs and other legal documents
• Draft, review and edit documents and correspondence
• Review case progress with supervisors and provide regular summaries of case status
• Obtain and review case records through Freedom of Information Act and similar record requests
• Maintain ongoing communication with clients and administrative agencies
• Maintain timely and detailed records in a case management software 
• Conduct legal research
• Train and supervise (work product only) legal assistants, paralegals and legal interns
• Monitor and analyze changes in substantive and procedural law
• Understand case matters covered under the Legal Service Plan
• Maintain confidential materials for all clients
• Attend member information meetings under the direction of supervisory personnel, including travel as required
• Attend and participate in regular team meetings

Qualifications:  

• JD and authorization to practice law in any US state required
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency required
• 1 to 3 years of experience practicing immigration law preferred

Requirements: 

• Ability to maintain professional appearance, workspace, and demeanor as a representative of the Legal Services Fund
• Ability to analyze complex issues and exercise sound legal judgment, with the assistance and guidance of supervising attorneys 
• Ability to appear before courts and agencies and present oral and written arguments in a persuasive and effective manner
• Ability to work collaboratively and handle multiple demands in a busy environment 
• Ability to effectively communicate with members, colleagues, adjudicators, opposing counsel and judges 
• Outstanding communication, analytical, research and writing skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Ability to navigate legal software effectively 
• Experience with Cerenade or other similar case management programs preferred
• Ability to electronically file documents and cases with administrative agencies and courts

Work Environment: The work environment described here is representative of the environment an employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.