Supervising Attorney

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. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) seeks a highly motivated Supervising Attorney for a full-time, permanent position. The Supervising Attorney will lead a team of paralegals and DOJ-Accredited Representatives primarily working on affirmative immigration work. The Supervising Attorney will also support the unit’s overall affirmative practice, providing supervision, training and guidance to staff attorneys and pro bono volunteers. The job requires substantive knowledge and experience practicing before USCIS, the intersection of affirmative and defensive immigration law, and overseeing the intake and clinic teams. Candidates will also be involved in the development and implementation of programming and contract management. Candidates will have a proactive ability to solve problems under time pressure, a strong commitment to providing client-centered services for clients experiencing trauma, and an ability to provide professional development and support to a team of paralegals, including intake specialists and volunteers at various stages in their careers.
The Supervisor will work within the Immigrant Protection Unit at NYLAG as a part of the unit leadership team assisting with the operations of the unit, grant reporting, and development of the team and unit.
The Supervisor will report directly to the Director or Associate Director of the Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Supervisor’s responsibilities will include:

• Provide supervision and subject matter expertise for the unit’s affirmative practice including for naturalization, adjustment of status (both family and humanitarian based), employment authorization, Temporary Protected Status, DACA, VAWA, U visas, inadmissibility, provisional waivers, and advance parole
• Provide supervision and subject matter expertise for complex issues that may arise, including the Form N-648, immigration and criminal history
• Provide supervision and subject matter expertise on comprehensive screening, issue-spotting and advising prospective clients on potential immigration relief
• Provide supervision and training of clinic programmatic staff in logistical planning and pro bono attorneys in a large-scale setting

• Manage assignment of cases and professional development for supervisees, including DOJ-accredited representatives.

• Represent a small number of non-detained New York City residents, in removal proceedings before EOIR, where affirmative relief is available
• Work with removal defense practice teams to provide continuation of services for clients after removal proceedings are terminated, when appropriate
• Act as a liaison to partner organizations and other external stakeholders to coordinate programming and reporting.

• Track client cases, progress of applications, and follow up for funding purposes. Liaise with NYLAG Development team to compile data and report to funders on relevant grants.

• Conduct internal and external trainings for attorneys, paralegals, and other community advocates.

• Represent NYLAG to our funders, collaborative partners, and other external stakeholders including coordinating programming and reporting, attending conferences and trainings, and sharing materials.

• Develop and expand relationships with community-based organizations and partners.
• Work with the IPU Supervisory Team to ensure alignment on IPU goals and policy, and collaborate services with other units, including with NYLAG’s Pro Bono and Volunteer Unit

Qualifications
Required: 

• J.D. and admission to New York State Bar.

• Fluency in Spanish preferred, or a another language commonly spoken by the immigrant communities we serve.

• Minimum 5 years of experience working in immigration law, 8 years preferred, including substantive experience representing clients before USCIS. Highly preferred experience also appearing in immigration court.
• Experience supervising attorney or paralegal staff
• Preferred experience supervising community and pro bono clinics.

• Ability to work in a collaborative setting with other professionals.

• Demonstrated commitment to working with immigrant communities and advancing racial and social justice.

• Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks, and creatively problem solve.

Additionally:

• Excellent writing, speaking, and analytical skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary and the public.

• Experience working with survivors of trauma and the intersection of criminal law and immigration law.

• Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks, and creatively problem solve.

• Strong advocacy skills, including the ability to develop creative legal arguments, and individualize case strategies for clients with cases in varying legal postures.

• Commitment to mentoring, teaching, and supporting staff with varying levels of experience.

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 :
☒ Managerial

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 for a yearly salary between 126,561 - 142,752 pro-rated for the period of employment .

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.