Senior Staff Attorney

Title: Senior Staff Attorney

Team: Programs and Membership

Reports to: Managing Attorney

Employment Status: Full Time/Exempt

Salary: $120,000 annually 

Location: Applicants based in New York City, Long Island, Capital Region, or Hudson Valley are welcome to apply. Position will require regular travel within New York State, including the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Western New York, Fingerlakes, New York City, and other parts of New York State. 

Overview of the Organization

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State. We envision a New York State that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams. Our mission is to unite immigrants, Members, and allies so all New Yorkers can thrive. We represent the collective interests of New York’s diverse immigrant communities and organizations and devise solutions to advance them; advocate for laws, policies, and programs that lead to justice and opportunity for all immigrant groups; and build the power of immigrants and the organizations that serve them to ensure their sustainability, to improve people’s lives, and to strengthen our state. 

Our organizational values: Inclusive & Representative; Fair & Just; Accountable & Trusted.

Position Overview

This is a contract-funded position for various initiatives that the NYIC is undertaking to support vulnerable immigrants throughout New York State. 

The Senior Staff Attorney will serve as an on-the-ground immigration attorney contributing to a network of legal services across several regions of New York State, with a focus on newly arrived immigrant populations and emerging legal services needs. The Senior Staff Attorney  will oversee and provide limited scope affirmative and defensive services to clients. On a case-by-case basis and dependent on expertise, the Senior Staff Attorney may engage in full scope representation in complex cases. 

The Senior Staff Attorney will directly manage four full-time staff: two Paralegals and two Legal Assistants, who will also provide legal support to clients under their supervision and direction. The Senior Staff Attorney will report to the Managing Attorney and will work closely with internal teams as well as external partners, including legal service providers and community-based organizations.

Limited scope legal services are delivered via legal clinics (in-person, remote, or hybrid) and remote 1:1 legal assistance. The Senior Staff Attorney will ensure that the legal services provided through this program are high quality and culturally responsive. Their duties include direct services (completing screenings, providing legal advice, drafting applications, filing limited scope motions, etc.), supervising the direct services provided by the Paralegals and Legal Assistants (screenings, drafting, notarizing, etc.), and providing internal training and expertise on relevant immigration legal topics.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Coordination & Provision of Legal Services 

• In consultation with the Managing Attorney, coordinate and serve as an on-the-ground immigration attorney for legal clinics and direct legal services across New York State. Contribute to regional and remote legal support from attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff, both internal and external to the NYIC.
• Provide direct limited scope legal services to clients. These services may include, but are not limited to, 1) applications for asylum, Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), 2) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) filings such as Motions to Reopen, Change Venue, Change Hearing Format, 3) screenings for eligibility, and 4) general legal advice.
• Supervise and conduct final reviews of the direct limited scope legal services provided to clients, particularly by full-time Paralegals and Legal Navigators. 
• Serve as a legal resource and answer questions from partner organizations, clients, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Exercise legal judgment and advise clients in a manner that is ethically sound, trauma-informed, and adheres to best practices.  
• Draft, edit, and/or review training materials for legal volunteers, legal clinic guides, resources for legal services providers, and community-facing informational documents.

Data Collection 

• Oversee and participate in data collection, tracking, and reporting to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of legal service deliverables and emerging trends.
• Communicate regularly with data management personnel to ensure efficient and accurate tracking of legal services provided and adherence to protocols.
• Adhere to, and if applicable, suggest policies and procedures to enhance the protection of personal identifying information and data privacy. 

Other Responsibilities 

• Support the Legal Director and Managing Attorney in implementing follow through of strategic decisions made regarding litigation efforts, special projects, and rapid response frameworks.
• Develop training efforts and serve as the primary trainer on relevant topics in immigration law for our internal legal team’s professional development.
• Liaise with legal and non-legal service providers, external partners, and other stakeholders.
• Occasionally moves or carries materials weighing 50 pounds or less. 

Qualifications:

• Licensed attorney admitted to practice in New York.
• Five (5) years of relevant professional experience representing and working with diverse immigrant communities in affirmative and/or defensive immigration postures.
• Three (3) years of relevant supervision experience, preferably of immigration legal staff, including attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas: immigrant detention, bond or habeas, survivor-based relief, or other humanitarian relief.
• Experience with successfully developing and conducting strategic collaboration and events with diverse organizations and programs; experience conducting outreach in immigrant communities for legal services preferred. 
• Strong skills in community organizing and community advocacy, specifically with underserved and diverse communities.
• Attention to detail, particularly in preparing applications and documents to be filed with various government agencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to promote cohesion among immigration legal staff, including attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff.
• Adaptability to changing work environments, processes, and emerging needs.
• Experience with fast-paced environments and juggling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Bilingual English- Spanish-language speaker preferred.
• Strong computer skills preferred, including proficiency in Legal Server, Salesforce, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets), Canva, Microsoft Office Suite.

Important facts to know about this opportunity:

This position will involve extensive in-person work in the field; when not in the field, the position may allow for 1 remote day and any remaining days in the office.

Salary: $120,000 annually**

**The NYIC has a transparent and equitable salary structure. Starting salaries for each position are set in advance with no room for negotiation

In addition to a competitive salary, NYIC offers a full benefit plan, unlimited paid time off after 90 days of employment, commuter benefits and a comprehensive retirement plan. 

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter through Breezy: https://nyic.breezy.hr

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, immigration status or citizenship, sex, age, disability or marital status.