Staff Attorney - Immigration Unit

STAFF ATTORNEY – Immigration Unit 

 Staten Island Legal Services (across the street from the ferry), the Staten Island office of Legal Services NYC, seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to join our Immigration Unit.

Program Description

Staten Island Legal Services (SILS) fights poverty and seeks racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. SILS provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Staten Island’s diverse low-income populations. SILS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients —preserving affordable and decent housing, preventing foreclosures, representing survivors of domestic violence, assisting in obtaining government benefits, obtaining immigration status and preventing deportations, and advocating for the LGBTQ community, students with educational needs, and people with disabilities.

SILS is a part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), which is the largest provider of civil legal services in the country. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. 

The Opportunity

 We are looking for a candidate who is excited to work in a fast-paced environment and is committed to the pursuit of justice. The Immigration Unit provides high-quality legal representation to individuals and families navigating complex immigration matters. The Staff Attorney will represent clients in removal proceedings before Immigration Court, handle affirmative applications before USCIS, and represent youth in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases in Family Court. Working closely with our staff social worker and under the supervision of the Director of Immigration, the attorney will provide trauma-informed, client-centered advocacy to a diverse and underserved community in a hybrid work environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Represent individuals and families in removal proceedings before Immigration Court, and in administrative and federal appeals.
• Handle affirmative immigration matters, including asylum applications, family-based petitions, consular processing, naturalization, VAWA self-petitions, U and T visa petitions, and other immigration benefits.
• Represent clients in Family Court proceedings related to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) cases.
• Represent clients during orders of supervisions and other check-ins.
• Collaborate with the unit's staff social worker to provide trauma-informed representation and holistic advocacy.
• Conduct client intake, community education, and outreach activities.
• Work collaboratively with attorneys and advocates across LSNYC units and boroughs on cross-disciplinary initiatives.
• Collaborate with Citywide Litigation on habeas petitions when necessary.
• Partner with community-based organizations on campaigns, projects, and advocacy efforts.
• Mentor and support pro bono partners, legal volunteers, and interns.
• Complete administrative responsibilities, including timekeeping, document management, data reporting, and grant compliance requirements.

Experience and Qualifications: 

• Admitted or be in the process of being admitted to practice law in the State of New York. Candidates already authorized to practice law in immigration court, New York state court, and in other immigration legal venues preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and serving low-income immigrant communities.
• At least 2-3 years of immigration law direct services experience is preferred.
• Experience with immigration litigation and/or removal defense, including representing clients before EOIR, including motions practice and merits hearings, and experience with BIA appeals is preferred.
• Experience working with clients who have experienced trauma and other vulnerable populations (particularly domestic violence survivors, LGBTQ+ communities, and youth).
• Excellent analytical, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish is preferred.

Salary determined by Collective Bargaining Agreement. Hybrid remote work policy, and excellent benefits package.

How to Apply:

Interested individuals should upload their resume, cover letter, and writing sample onto Greenhouse.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Please no telephone calls.

Additional information about the practice may be found on our website, www.legalservicesnyc.org. Legal Services NYC is an equal-opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and people over the age of 40 are strongly encouraged to apply.