Staff Attorney - Immigration Unit

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 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.

• 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.

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

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.