Attorney, Federal Immigration Litigation

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) seeks a Federal Immigration Litigation Attorney to join the detained removal defense team within our Immigration Practice. 

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our legal expertise work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including for housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities

BDS’s Immigration Practice is a collaborative team of over 80 staff members. Attorneys on the detained removal defense team represent low-income noncitizens held in immigration jails before immigration courts in New York City and elsewhere. Attorneys also represent noncitizens in non-detained removal proceedings, complex applications before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal circuit courts, and habeas corpus and mandamus actions before federal district courts.

The Federal Immigration Litigation Attorney will work closely with other members of the detained removal defense team to challenge unlawful immigration court decisions before the federal circuit courts of appeals, fight unlawful detention, challenge excessive delay and wrongful denial of immigration benefits and Freedom of Information Act requests, and bring affirmative immigration-related civil challenges seeking strategic reform.

• Serve as primary counsel on federal district and circuit court litigation related to immigrant rights, including petitions for review, habeas corpus petitions, mandamus petitions, and actions under the Administrative Procedure Act. 
• Appear in district and circuit courts and conduct oral argument when necessary. 
• Draft pleadings, briefs, motions, and other legal documents.
• Research and analyze legal theories to challenge constitutional, statutory, and regulatory violations. 
• Investigate factual developments and trends regarding immigration enforcement and due process. 
• Track federal notices of rulemaking and draft public comment responses on relevant issues.
• Draft amicus briefs on relevant issues. 
• Plan and present litigation updates and training for BDS staff.
• Collaborate with pro bono attorneys on federal court litigation.
• Additional duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar, or ability to become admitted in New York. 
• Additional admission to New Jersey and/or Pennsylvania Bars highly desirable. 
• 3+ years of experience in the field of immigration law and/or federal litigation, preferably as an admitted attorney. Additional legal experience welcome. 
• Experience writing, filing, and arguing federal court litigation in support of immigrant rights, including habeas petitions or petitions for review. 
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to adapt to urgent situations. 
• Ability to understand and analyze complex legal issues and develop litigation strategies.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills, including the ability to draft clear and persuasive legal documents.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively and collegially as part of a team.
• Ability to collaborate and engage with BDS colleagues and external partners.

Position Information  

This is an exempt, salaried position in the Collective Bargaining Unit. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. However, attorneys may need to work outside these hours on occasion in order to accommodate court and jail visitation scheduling. The position is based at BDS’s offices in Downtown Brooklyn.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a base salary range of $90,000 for an attorney who graduated law school in 2025 up to approximately $121,000 for an attorney who graduated law school in 2015. Candidates may be considered for Senior Attorney Roles depending on years of experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies. 

Application Instructions     

Click “Apply Now” to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director, HR, Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org.