Summary

Riis Settlement is seeking a full-time, bilingual (English/Spanish) Immigration Attorney with a strong background in immigration law and demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights to join our nonprofit legal services program based in Queens. Reporting to the program director, the Immigration Attorney is responsible for conducting legal consultations and representing clients with affirmative cases with USCIS. The attorney will also oversee program expansion to begin providing pro se legal services to asylum seekers. The attorney leads the organization’s legal team including supervising three DOJ representatives/paralegals across two program sites in LIC and Sunnyside, Queens.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive legal screenings to evaluate eligibility for immigration benefits and relief and provide legal advice.
• Accept viable cases for representation and provide appropriate referrals for case types outside of the scope of services.
• Manage small caseload of affirmative cases including but not limited to naturalization, green card renewals, family-based adjustment of status, DACA renewals, and FOIA requests.
• Track and report on the outcome of each screening, cases accepted, case outcomes, and any referrals made.
• Maintain updated client files and case notes in electronic databases.
• Supervise two DOJ representatives/paralegals through weekly supervision meetings and oversight of their intakes and casework.
• Monitor case data monthly, ensuring alignment with program and grant requirements.
• Stay informed on U.S. immigration laws and procedures through regular training, attending meetings with immigration agencies, legal research, and peer-to-peer consultation.

Asylum Seeker Grant

• Oversee expansion of legal services under new grant to serve asylum seekers, including providing pro se assistance with asylum, TPS, and employment authorization applications.
• Train and supervise the asylum paralegal to assist eligible clients with preparing asylum, TPS, and employment authorization applications as well as assisting with urgent legal needs such as change of address and drafting motions to change venue.
• Establish designated “office hours” to provide consultations, review documents, and answer questions that the paralegal cannot answer.
• As needed, plan and host legal orientations and pro se clinics to provide group application assistance.
• Coordinate training for pro bono attorneys and law student volunteers.
• Implement efficient systems to manage screenings and caseloads of both affirmative cases and pro se relief cases, and ensure that grant deliverables are met.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide legal training and ongoing professional development to legal staff and interns.
• Facilitate community presentations on immigration policy and rights.
• Attend mandatory program meetings and training sessions.
• Engage in community-based meetings and coalitions related to immigrant rights.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Minimum of 3 years experience practicing immigration law, and knowledge and ability to handle complex immigration matters.
• Additional experience in asylum law is preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required; additional languages preferred.
• Familiarity with intersection of immigration with public benefits, criminal, and family law.
• Ability to manage time effectively, multi-task, determine priorities, and work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively in legal and non-legal settings with a wide range of individuals and organizations.
• Personal integrity in handling ethically complex and confidential situations. Demonstrated ability to be a strong team member in a collaborative nonprofit environment.
• Committed to providing service in a manner that is sensitive to people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Salary Range: $86,000.00 - $91,000.00 Job Location: - LONG ISLAND CITY, NY, 11101

To Apply, click here.