About NYLAG:
Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services are virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 380 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.
Job description
NYLAG seeks a highly motivated attorney within NYLAG’s Immigrant Protection Unit to provide legal advice and representation to immigrant survivors of domestic and gender-based violence at the Brooklyn Family Justice Center (FJC). The NYC Family Justice Centers are co-located spaces run by the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence, where survivors of domestic and gender based violence can receive comprehensive services from a variety of on-site organizations. An immigration attorney who is part of NYLAG’s Immigrant Protection Unit, will work on-site at the Brooklyn Family Justice Center. They will work directly with clients who are seeking services at the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, and work collaboratively with ENDGBV and other on-site providers to assist clients.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities will include:
- Staff the FJC full-time during regular business hours when the FJC is open;
- Screen and advise clients who enter Brooklyn Family Justice Center seeking services;
- Provide consultation and representation in immigration matters, including VAWA self-petitions, U nonimmigrant status/U-visa applications, battered spouse waivers, adjustment of status, removal defense, T-visas, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status;
- Collaborate and coordinate with the project paralegal;
- Attend FJC meetings, including meetings with off-site partners and civil legal coordination meetings, staff meetings at NYLAG’s main office, and participate in coalitions and task forces addressing DV and immigration issues;
- Appear on site at the Family Justice Center and/or NYLAG’s offices when necessary;
- Conduct educational seminars and outreach to lawyers, social workers, advocates, and the general community on immigration issues;
- Attend internal NYLAG meetings including with the Immigrant Protection Unit as a whole, and the FJC project team as a whole; and
- Administrative duties including updating NYLAG and FJC case management systems, maintaining and updated files and case notes.
Qualifications:
- Admission to Bar, New York State Bar preferred;
- 2- 4 years of immigration law experience, in matters including VAWA self-petitions, U nonimmigrant status/U-visa applications and/or battered spouse waivers;
- Experience working with survivors of domestic violence and gender-based violence;
- Fluency in Spanish preferred;
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest work;
- Excellent written, oral and analytical skills;
- Excellent organizational skills; and
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently.
NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.
Employment type:
☒ Full-time
Professional Level:
☒ Professional
Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $81,675--$91,553.
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.
Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.
Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.
NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change. |