Immigration Staff Attorney

New York County Defender Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

New York County Defender Services is seeking an Immigration Staff Attorney to join their Immigration Unit. The attorney will provide essential legal advice, ensuring the rights of low-income immigrants are protected. Responsibilities include advising trial attorneys, providing support during arraignments and ICE appointments, and managing a high-volume caseload.

The ideal candidate will have at least three years’ experience in immigration law, particularly regarding its intersection with criminal law, and must be fluent in Spanish. The position offers a salary range of $90,000 - $120,000.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Spanish is a must.
• Must have a minimum of three years’ experience in immigration law.
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills are needed.

Responsibilities

• Advise trial attorneys and clients to avoid negative immigration consequences.
• Provide immigration support during arraignments.
• Conduct jail visits and accompany clients to ICE appointments.

Skills

Fluent in Spanish

Research and writing skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Organizational and time-management skills

Education

Admitted to practice law in New York State

Minimum of three years’ experience in immigration law

Job description

Immigration Staff Attorney Position

NYCDS seeks an immigration staff attorney to join our Immigration Unit. The Immigration Unit attorneys, integral to the NYCDS defense team, provide Padilla advice and support to NYCDS clients and criminal defense attorneys.

Founded in 1997, New York County Defender Services (NYCDS) is a public defender office located in downtown Manhattan. Our mission is to provide the best possible legal defense for poor people ensnared in the criminal legal system. Our Immigration Unit currently consists of three immigration attorneys who specialize in the intersection between immigration and criminal law and work collaboratively with trial attorneys, social workers, and investigators to avoid negative immigration consequences for non-citizen clients.

Job Description and Responsibilities

• Advise and strategize with our trial attorneys and clients to avoid negative immigration consequences
• Provide immigration support to trial attorneys at arraignments
• Present information to judges and assistant district attorneys through written or oral advocacy
• Advocate for clients by conducting jail visits and accompanying clients to ICE appointments
• Must be committed to working collaboratively with a diverse group of criminal defense attorneys and other advocates
• Manage a high-volume caseload
• Present in‑office trainings on crim‑imm basics and changes to crim‑imm law
• Attend IDP’s monthly roundtable meetings
• Participate in other immigration coalition and organization meetings
• Supervise law student interns
• Immigration staff attorneys may also have opportunities to provide legal representation before the Immigration Courts and to help clients apply for affirmative benefits before USCIS

Qualifications

• Commitment to advancing the rights of poor and low‑income immigrants
• Commitment to criminal justice issues
• Must be fluent in Spanish
• Minimum of three years’ experience in immigration law, particularly as it intersects with criminal law
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills
• Must be admitted to practice law in New York State
• We welcome candidates who are flexible, enjoy collaboration and think creatively

Salary Range: $90,000 - 120,000