Immigration Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney

Global Pro Bono Hub; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Legal Services NYC is seeking an experienced immigration attorney to mentor pro bono attorneys in detained and removal cases and to provide training and mentorship on ongoing pro bono immigration work. The role involves leadership of clinics, trainings, and coordination of case placements within a dynamic team.

The successful candidate will have 5+ years in immigration practice, federal litigation experience, and a J.D.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience as an immigration attorney.
• Experience in removal defense, asylum, VAWA, and related relief.
• Experience with federal litigation, including habeas petitions.
• Ability to coordinate a high volume of clients and volunteers.
• Strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and public speaking abilities.
• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to the New York Bar.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal support for pro bono attorneys handling immigration matters, including detention and removal cases.
• Lead and administer virtual and in-person pro bono clinics with law firms.
• Conduct trainings for pro bono attorneys and volunteers; develop training materials.
• Coordinate screening, case descriptions, placements, and follow-up with volunteers.
• Assist with program evaluation, outreach, and new pro bono initiatives.

Skills

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Legal research

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

We are seeking an experienced immigration attorney to mentor pro bono attorneys in detained and removal cases, and to provide training and mentorship on cases in our longstanding pro bono immigration work

At a glance

Organisation:

Legal Services NYC

Type:

Full-time

Location:

New York, US

Job posted:

30 October 2026

As immigration enforcement has intensified—including increased detention of our current clients—our program is expanding its capacity to respond. We are seeking an experienced immigration attorney to mentor pro bono attorneys in detained and removal cases, and to provide training and mentorship on cases in our longstanding pro bono immigration work: LGBTQ+ asylum, VAWA Self-Petition & Battered Spouse Waiver, U visa, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, adjustment of status, family preparedness, and naturalizations. The ideal candidate will also bring federal litigation skills, including habeas corpus petitions, to our practice.

The Immigration Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney will work with the Pro Bono Director, Pro Bono Deputy Director, and other Immigration Pro Bono Coordinating Attorneys and paralegals to expand and operate pro bono immigration clinics, trainings, mentoring, and case placements.

We are searching for an applicant who is innovative, highly organized, responsive, skilled at public speaking, experienced with leading teams and managing a high volume of pro bono cases, and a problem-solver with strong interpersonal skills.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Pro Bono Deputy Director, the Immigration Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney’s duties will include:

• Provide expert legal support for pro bono attorneys who are representing clients on immigration matters, including removal proceedings, habeas petitions, affirmative asylum, VAWA, U visa, SIJS, adjustment of status, family preparedness and naturalization.
• Provide expert legal support for pro bono attorneys who file habeas corpus petitions in federal district court on behalf of clients who are unlawfully detained
• Administer frequent (primarily virtual) pro bono clinics with law firms
• Conduct regular trainings for pro bono attorneys and other volunteers
• Develop and improve training materials for pro bono attorneys
• Coordinate first and second-level screening of prospective clients
• Draft case descriptions to pitch to pro bono attorneys
• Coordinate with volunteers to place and follow up on cases
• Research and assist with outreach and policy updates to law firms and corporations
• Assist with program evaluation
• Assist with development of new immigration pro bono programs to expand services
• Participate in and assist with pro bono events
• Maintain databases and case tracking, with support from other members of the pro bono team
• Oversee regular reporting to the key funder for this position
• Maintain a small direct representation caseload

The Successful Candidate

• At least 5 years of experience as an immigration attorney
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in removal defense (including asylum and VAWA cancellation), bond hearings, and detained docket matters
• Experience with federal litigation, including drafting court briefs and motions, and habeas corpus petitions
• Experience with affirmative asylum, VAWA Self-Petitions, Battered Spouse Waivers, U-visas, adjustment of status, and naturalizations
• Track record of coordinating a high volume of clients and/or volunteers
• Collaborative mindset and team player
• Highly self-motivated
• Strong writing and analytical skills
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills
• Consistent ability to pay close attention to details
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated communication habits that are consistently prompt and highly responsive
• Ability to work with people from a range of backgrounds – including clients who are low-income, LSNYC staff, and attorneys from law firms and corporations
• Skilled presenter, with experience providing trainings on substantive legal issues
• Applicants must have a J.D. from an accredited law school and be admitted to the New York Bar

Preferred qualifications

• Experience as a pro bono attorney at a large law firm or corporation
• Experience working with a pro bono program at a nonprofit
• Experience working with survivors of intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault
• Experience working with trans and gender nonconforming clients
• Experience implementing and operationalizing new initiatives/programs