Staff Attorney, Immigration

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Practice Group: Immigration Law

I. Organization Information

Empire Justice Center, a diverse and highly respected statewide legal services organization, seeks a Staff Attorney for our Immigration Law practice group. This is an opportunity to join and grow in one of the most influential organizations serving marginalized low-income individuals and families in New York State.

Empire Justice Center attracts and employs a diverse team of dedicated, determined, and passionate advocates who significantly impact the lives of low-income New Yorkers. We succeed through direct legal representation, high-impact litigation, and legislative and administrative advocacy. As an organization, we provide top-notch training and technical assistance to other advocates to ensure fairness and justice for New Yorkers. We thrive on our commitment to supporting justice for populations that have historically experienced high levels of oppression. These populations include racially diverse individuals and families experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, immigration issues, and domestic violence. Additionally, the organization advocates for people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and school-age children facing discrimination and violations of their civil rights in schools.

Our offices in Rochester, Albany, Westchester County, and Long Island offer staff an exciting, dynamic, inclusive working environment with a solid commitment to work/life balance, teamwork, diversity, wellness, and personal/professional development.

II. Position Summary

Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce an opening for a Staff Attorney for our Immigration Law practice group. Under the Acacia contract, this position will provide representation and advice to unaccompanied minors, including in immigration and family court. This attorney will visit clients at the Mercy First Detention Center run by ORR, advocate for their asylum in the United States, and release them to families and other appropriate guardians.

III. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Travel to and work in the Long Island, Central Islip office is required to meet client and organizational needs.

        o This position is eligible for a hybrid work request under the organizational policy.

• The attorney may represent child immigrants in any and each of the following:

     o U Visa petitions

     o Federal Court appeals

     o Administrative Appeals

     o Removal proceedings and appeals

     o Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

     o Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

     o Naturalization and adjustment of status

     o Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions

     o Proceedings seeking a child’s recognized lawful status in the United States.

• For transactional matters, the attorney will prepare, file, and represent the client in the indicated matter (e.g. prepare, file, and represent the child in a Form I-589, application for asylum and withholding of removal; or prepare, file, and represent a child in a Form I-360, Petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status).

• For litigation matters, the attorney will represent the client in all facets of the Court proceeding in Immigration Court, NYS Family Court, or any other Court, by filing motions, briefs, defensive applications, affirmative applications, presenting evidence, examining witnesses, etcetera.

• Respond to urgent matters involving unaccompanied minors.

• Maintain electronic and paper case files, monthly statistics and case reports, and other reporting to stakeholders.

• Train, mentor, and manage legal interns, fellows, and volunteers for work on individual cases, presentations, legal screenings, and related work.

• Visit clients in foster care and detention facilities and oversee “Know Your Rights” and other programming presented by the attorney and/or other staff.

• Appear as friend-of-the-court and record counsel at regularly detained dockets in immigration court to provide case updates for youth pending release from ORR custody.

• Provide legal services to children detained in Office of Refugee Resettlement shelters in the lower Hudson Valley. Core services include legal intake interviews, bond hearings for youth seeking less restrictive custody, and federal litigation for separated youth seeking immediate family reunification.

• Please note that all positions will supervise other practice group members if needed.

• Due to limited resources, all staff are expected to perform administrative and other support-related duties to serve our clients and fulfill our mission as a non-profit legal services organization.

• Other duties as assigned by your supervisor and/or to meet the organization’s needs.

IV. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• A background check is required to perform in this position.

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited US law school or international equivalent;

       o Admission to practice in New York State and good standing or admission pending;

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience;

• Fluent Spanish-speaking is preferred;

• Experience in and commitment to working with diverse and impoverished clientele;

• Effective decision-making skills and the ability to work under pressure and to shift priorities while working on multiple competing projects and deadlines.

• Excellent legal research and writing skills;

• Excellent organization and ability to meet deadlines;

• Excellent communication skills;

• Ability to work and collaborate on a team;